Ebola: How Nigerians can prevent infection

The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and commenced contact tracing to prevent further transmission of the infection.

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, disclosed this on Tuesday, following laboratory confirmation of the case involving a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda.

The woman was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the infection was confirmed.

She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care, according to the Federal Government.

The government reported that forty-four contacts had been identified, encompassing healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers, and individuals with travel connections.

Public health teams are actively engaged in identifying and monitoring additional individuals who may have experienced exposure to the infection.

The government has strengthened surveillance measures and instructed both public and private health facilities to maintain heightened vigilance, promptly detect and isolate suspected cases, implement rigorous infection prevention and control protocols, and communicate suspected infections to public health authorities.

Pate further appealed to individuals contacted by public health teams, including passengers who may have traveled alongside the patient, to participate fully in the contact tracing initiative.

The government advised Nigerian citizens to maintain composure, practice regular hand hygiene, and refrain from contact with blood or other bodily fluids of individuals suspected of having Ebola.

Following the reexamination of the confirmed case, the World Health Organisation's fact sheet regarding Ebola disease and its recommendations on contact tracing serve to educate Nigerians about transmission mechanisms and preventive measures to minimize infection risk.

Ebola Transmission Mechanisms
According to the WHO's "Ebola disease fact sheet," individuals can acquire the disease through direct contact via compromised skin or mucous membranes with blood or other bodily fluids from persons who are ill with or have succumbed to Ebola.

The virus may also transmit through contaminated objects and surfaces bearing infected bodily fluids, including blood, fecal matter, and vomitus.

The WHO indicates that disease transmission cannot occur prior to symptom manifestation; however, individuals remain contagious as long as the virus persists in their bloodstream.

Human infection may additionally result from contact with infected animals, including fruit bats and certain wildlife species, particularly during handling or consumption of infected animals.

The international health organization recommends avoiding contact with ill or deceased wild animals and abstaining from consumption of their uncooked meat.

Precautions Nigerians should take
The WHO advises people to avoid close physical contact with anyone suspected or confirmed to have Ebola, particularly contact with their body fluids.

Suspected and confirmed patients should be isolated in designated treatment facilities where they can receive appropriate care and where infection-control measures can be applied.

People should maintain good hand hygiene and keep their surroundings clean.

Healthcare workers must use appropriate personal protective equipment and follow infection prevention and control procedures when caring for suspected or confirmed cases, especially when there is a risk of exposure to blood, body fluids or contaminated materials.

The WHO also advises communities to ensure that burials are conducted safely and with dignity.

Traditional or funeral practices involving direct contact with the body of someone who died from Ebola can expose others to infection.

Watch for symptoms, seek care early
The WHO says Ebola symptoms may appear between two and 21 days after infection.

Early symptoms can include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat.

These may be followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and other complications.

However, the WHO cautions that Ebola can be difficult to distinguish from other illnesses, including malaria and typhoid fever, based on symptoms alone.

Anyone who develops symptoms after a possible exposure should seek urgent medical assessment and inform healthcare workers about the possible contact.

People should not attempt to diagnose or treat suspected Ebola at home.

Why contact tracing matters
Contact tracing involves identifying people who may have been exposed to an infected person and following up on their health.

WHO says this helps contacts access care promptly if symptoms develop and helps public health authorities interrupt further transmission.

The organisation recommends monitoring the health of people who may have been exposed for 21 days, corresponding to the maximum known incubation period.

Anyone contacted by public health authorities should provide accurate information and follow the instructions given by health officials.

Nigerians who suspect an exposure should cooperate with public health teams rather than conceal information or avoid follow-up.

The Federal Government has also provided the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s toll-free call centre, 6232, for information and reports of suspected cases.

The WHO says early supportive care, including rehydration and treatment of symptoms, can improve survival.

Prompt reporting, early medical care, cooperation with contact tracing and consistent infection-control practices are therefore important in limiting the risk of further transmission.