HEALTH Diseases

Anambra Clears 33 Ebola Contacts, Monitors Seven Others

by admin on | 2026-10-22 13:54:09

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Anambra Clears 33 Ebola Contacts, Monitors Seven Others

By Maryam Yahya 

As Nigeria strengthens its response to a laboratory-confirmed Ebola case in Abuja, Anambra State says it has cleared 33 of 40 persons placed under public health monitoring, with seven others remaining stable under active surveillance as the state intensifies efforts to prevent and contain any potential outbreak.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, disclosed this at a press briefing in Awka on Wednesday, assuring residents that no Ebola case had been recorded in the state. He said the government had strengthened disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and coordination with national and international health partners to support early detection and a timely response to suspected infections.

Obidike said the state’s preparedness measures predated the latest development, with the State Epidemiology Unit monitoring persons referred through Nigeria’s national disease surveillance system because of relevant travel or exposure histories. He emphasised that being identified as a person of interest did not mean an individual had contracted Ebola, warning against stigmatisation and the spread of misinformation.

According to the commissioner, as of October 20, 2026, the state had monitored 40 persons of interest, 33 of whom had completed the prescribed 21-day monitoring period and been cleared, while seven remained under active follow-up. He said all seven were stable at the time of the report.

He added that designated surveillance officers, coordinated by the State Epidemiologist, were conducting regular communication, symptom checks and documentation throughout the monitoring period. Arrangements were also in place to escalate any health concerns for further assessment, while the state maintained contact with national surveillance authorities to ensure timely reporting and follow-up.

The commissioner said Anambra surveillance personnel had participated in a two-day online training organised by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to strengthen their capacity in monitoring, documentation, reporting and escalation of suspected cases. He added that the state had developed an Ebola preparedness and operational plan covering surveillance, rapid response, infection prevention and control, laboratory coordination, referral arrangements, risk communication and logistics.

Obidike said the disease surveillance network across the state’s 21 local government areas remained central to its response, urging surveillance officers, health facilities and community reporting structures to promptly report unusual illnesses and unexplained deaths. He also directed healthcare workers to maintain infection prevention precautions, obtain relevant travel and exposure histories, and immediately notify public health authorities whenever Ebola was suspected.

He advised residents who develop fever or other concerning symptoms after travelling to affected areas or coming into contact with a suspected Ebola patient to contact health authorities promptly and disclose their exposure history. Residents were also advised to call ahead before visiting a health facility to allow appropriate arrangements and reduce the risk of possible transmission.

The commissioner cautioned against unproven preventive practices and misinformation, urging residents to practise regular hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with the blood and other bodily fluids of sick people, and refrain from handling the bodies of people who die from unexplained illnesses. He called on the public to rely on verified health information and respect the privacy of people undergoing monitoring.

Obidike said the Ministry of Health would continue to provide updates as verified information became available, stressing that effective containment of Ebola and other infectious diseases depended on early reporting, strong surveillance and public cooperation. The briefing was attended by the State Epidemiologist, Dr Chuma Emembolu, and the World Health Organisation’s State Coordinator, Dr Mohamed Bonos, among other health officials.