Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The Federal Government and state governments have intensified measures to contain the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease following reports that Nigeria’s confirmed patient has developed multiple organ failure.

The patient, whose identity and nationality have not been publicly disclosed, was diagnosed in the Federal Capital Territory after travelling to Nigeria from Uganda.

The Director of Public Health Laboratory Service at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Olajumoke Babatunde, disclosed the deterioration in the patient’s condition during an emergency meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

Babatunde said laboratory investigations involving three levels of molecular testing confirmed that the infection was caused by the Bundibugyo strain, which has been linked to an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The development has prompted renewed surveillance, contact tracing and emergency preparedness across the country as health authorities work to prevent further transmission.

The Federal Government has said it is collaborating with Uganda and other relevant partners to investigate the case and identify people who may have been exposed to the virus.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, gave the assurance after meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.

Pate urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and follow verified public health information rather than panic over the reported case.

He said the government had activated its disease response mechanisms and was working to ensure the infection did not spread into the wider population.

The minister recalled Nigeria’s experience during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, expressing confidence in the country’s public health institutions and emergency response arrangements.

He added that the government would continue to provide updates as more information became available, while urging residents to avoid spreading unverified claims about the disease.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said it had convened an incident management meeting and was finalising an incident action plan to coordinate the national response.

The agency identified case management, enhanced surveillance, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, and public risk communication as key areas of intervention.

States strengthen surveillance

Several state governments have introduced additional measures to detect possible infections and monitor people who may have been exposed to the virus.

In Anambra State, authorities said 40 persons of interest had been followed up, with 33 completing their monitoring period and being cleared. Seven others remained under active monitoring as of October 20.

Ogun State also intensified surveillance after identifying 111 persons of interest. The state government said those being monitored had completed the required surveillance period and been discharged, with no Ebola case recorded in the state as of October 21.

In Niger State, the government placed its health system on high alert, activated emergency operations and said preparations were under way to complete an isolation centre.

Yobe State, meanwhile, announced the deployment of surveillance teams and contact-tracing arrangements across its 17 local government areas.

The state’s Director of Public Health, Dr Nuru Sulaiman Muhammad, said trained personnel had been mobilised to investigate possible exposures and facilitate the early detection of suspected cases.

He added that isolation facilities were available in Bade, Potiskum and Damaturu, covering the state’s three senatorial districts.

Health authorities have stressed that being identified as a contact or person of interest does not mean an individual is infected. Such persons are monitored because of possible exposure, with further assessments guided by public health protocols.