JUST IN: Ebola: NCDC identifies two more suspected cases, 53 contacts
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has identified two additional suspected cases of Ebola virus disease and 53 primary contacts as health authorities intensify efforts to contain the outbreak in the country.
The Director-General of the NCDC, Jide Idris, disclosed this on Sunday during a press briefing in Abuja.
The development comes days after Nigeria confirmed its first case of Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on October 20 after laboratory tests showed that a woman who had recently travelled to Nigeria from Uganda was infected with the virus.
According to reports, the patient developed symptoms on October 7 and sought medical attention at a private health facility four days later.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, had assured Nigerians that the government is working to contain the Ebola outbreak, saying the confirmed patient is responding to treatment and contacts are being monitored according to their level of risk.
He said 21 states had updated their response plans, while the remaining 15 were urged to strengthen their preparedness.
More details later….
