Health

Nigeria to step up travel surveillance to stop any Ebola outbreak

214

The federal government stepped up its efforts on Wednesday to prevent an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus, directing surveillance at all entry points in the country, following the outbreak of Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo.

“What we will do is to set up an emergency operation center which will be chaired by Dr. Babatunde Babasanya, who actually led our efforts in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea during the outbreak in 2014, said Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, at the end of Federal Executive council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“Not only that, we will be screening incoming passengers, particularly passengers from DRC and neigbouring countries. We will also ensure we step up all activities screening people coming in so that we will not be caught unawares.

“Of course of great concern to the federal executive council is the outbreak of Ebola in DR Congo. As you might be aware, over the last one month, DRC recorded 19 suspected cases of Viral Hemorrhagic Fever and lost 16 of the cases. But, what is also particularly important was that on Monday, blood samples from five patients in a particular district in DRC, two of the five cases, Ebola was actually confirmed. And, FEC has now directed the federal ministry of help to step up emergency surveillance activities at all land and airport borders, so that we can actually keep Nigerians safe.

“The Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) will also consider sending some teams to DRC as part of building capacity for managing  the outbreak. We want to assure Nigerians that the federal government is concerned about the outbreak and will do everything possible  to keep the country safe.”

Adewale, said his ministry presented an update on the state of public health in Nigeria at the FEC meeting. According to him,

“We reported on the situation with Lessa fever and declared that we are declaring the emergency phase of Lassa fever outbreak over. Essentially, that implies that the emergency operating center would be stood down but that instead of meeting everyday throughout the country, they will now meet once a week. They will still continue surveillance so that if there are cases anywhere in the country we can quickly dictate it and then treat it appropriately.”

Asked if the ongoing strike by Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), came up in the meeting, the minister said, “Negotiations are still on with Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) and the minister of labour is leading the negotiation and we expect that we will conclude on all issues very soon.”

 

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Cholera claims 10 lives in Enugu

At least 10 fatalities have been recorded in Enugu State following a...

Mpox outbreak: Cross River, Lagos lead with highest cases

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says Mpox cases...

NAFDAC seizes N5bln flood-damaged drugs in Borno

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has...

LUTH starts bone marrow transplant to cure sickle cell disease

The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), in conjunction with the Sickle Cell...

Nigeria reports 4,915 suspected meningitis cases, 361 fatalities – NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a...

Mpox outbreak: 67 cases confirmed in 23 states – NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 67...

NAFDAC probes Delta Pastor Jeremiah’s “agency-approved” miracle water, soap

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has...

FG sets Oct. 8 as the tentative date for mpox vaccination

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has announced that the...

FG grants 50% electricity subsidy to hospitals nationwide

The Federal Government has granted a 50 percent subsidy on electricity consumption...

U.S. donates 10,000 Mpox vaccines to Nigeria

The United States Government on Tuesday donated 10,000 doses of the Jynneos...

Counterfeit beverages: NAFDAC clamps down on Bauchi stores, markets

The Bauchi State Office of the National Agency for Food and Drug...

NAFDAC shuts down bakery for using unfortified sugar, banned potassium bromate

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has...

Newly inaugurated Lagos private medical facility forays into nuclear medicine

“Nuclear medicine helps in the treatment of thyroid disease, cancer, and arthritis,...

Counterfeit alcoholic beverages: NAFDAC seals 100 shops, suspects apprehended in Enugu

The National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut...

Illicit drugs fuel crimes, criminalities in Nigeria – Marwa

Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement...

PCN descends on unlicensed medicine outlets, shuts 531 in Abuja

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has closed down 531 medicine outlets...

Cholera outbreak: FG in talks with GAVI to secure emergency vaccine doses

Amid a global vaccine shortage, the Federal Government says it has sought...

Housing, transport, economic reforms critical to containing cholera outbreak – FG

The Federal Government has declared that simultaneously addressing the interconnected issues of...

FEC approves $1.4bln to strengthen NDLEA’s fight against drug trafficking

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N1.99 billion for the purchase...

International Drug Day 2024: North, South-West, South-South Red Zones for Drug Abuse – NDLEA

By Shine Alagba Mrs. Ibinabo Archie-Abia, the Assistant Commander General of Narcotics...