Ebola: FCT health authorities step up surveillance, urge residents to remain vigilant

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Friday said it has intensified surveillance across Abuja to calm fears of an Ebola outbreak, urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspected cases to the right authorities.

The Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environmental Secretariat, Adedolapo Fasawe, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja.

Ms Fasawe noted that the FCT health system, in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), is on full alert and prepared to respond to any suspected outbreak.

This comes amid public concern and speculation following reports of suspected viral haemorrhagic fevers cases in Abuja.

Stay Ahead with Premium Times

Add as a preferred source on Google

The NCDC confirmed that two recent suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fevers in Abuja tested negative for Ebola and Marburg viruses.

The centre, in a new public health advisory, added that tests are ongoing for other haemorrhagic fevers, including Lassa fever and dengue fever.

Ebola Virus Disease

The NCDC explained that Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a severe and often deadly illness caused by the Ebola virus, with a fatality rate of between 25 and 90 per cent.

There are five distinct species of the virus: Bundibugyo, Reston, Tai Forest, Sudan, and Zaire. The Zaire strain is responsible for the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

People can become infected either through contact with infected live or dead animals, often through butchering, cooking, or eating and through human-to-human transmission via blood and other body fluids.

It noted that health workers, family members, and mourners who have contact with infected bodies during burial rituals are considered at higher risk.

The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days. Common symptoms include sudden onset of fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat.

This may be followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, and jaundice. NCDC added that severe cases can involve uncontrolled bleeding, organ failure, and death, usually between eight and nine days after symptoms begin.

Public’s safety

Speaking at the briefing, Ms Fasawe noted that the negative results should reassure residents that surveillance systems are active and effective.

“This should reassure the public that our surveillance system is active and effective. If we were not paying attention, this case would have slipped through. Our response was immediate, and the protocols worked as expected,” she said.

“Our emergency operating system responded promptly. We have standard operating protocols on what to do and how to do it before we go to the general public so as not to cause unnecessary panic, which can trigger a lot of situations that will lead to negative effects, as we have almost gotten now.”

She commended the patient involved for seeking care early and the Nisa Premier Hospital, Abuja, for raising the alert, noting that such actions are critical in preventing disease spread.

The health secretary cautioned residents against panic and misinformation, reminding them that not every fever is malaria and urging both public and private health facilities to report suspicious symptoms without delay.

“We do not have Ebola in Nigeria as we speak. Samples from the suspected case were taken and within six hours the results were out.

Our surveillance system has the right to let the public know and start precautions, including contact tracing,” she added.
She disclosed that officials had already traced the contacts of the suspected patient, including obtaining the flight manifest.

Ms Fasawe also announced that an Emergency Operating Centre is active 24 hours a day and can be reached through the toll-free line 6232.

She urged residents to avoid spreading unverified information, stressing that unnecessary panic could do more harm than good.

At the briefing, the FCT Epidemiologist, Lukman Lawal, said the territory’s response system was immediately activated in line with national protocols.

READ ALSO: Ebola: NCDC issues advisory after suspected cases in Abuja test negative

Mr Lawal confirmed that relevant authorities were notified, samples were collected, and contact tracing was underway.

He assured that the administration remains committed to safeguarding the health of all residents.

The NCDC in its advisory urged Nigerians to maintain good hand hygiene, avoid contact with symptomatic persons, minimise animal-to-human risk, and seek help immediately if symptoms develop, especially after travel to affected countries.

It warned against misinformation and rumours, stressing that false messages can fuel fear and stigma, discourage people from seeking care, and undermine response efforts.