Anambra Monitors Seven Persons of Interest Following Ebola Case in Abuja

The Anambra State Government has intensified disease surveillance and is monitoring seven persons of interest following the confirmation of an imported Ebola virus disease case in the Federal Capital Territory.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, disclosed this on Wednesday during a briefing with health authorities in Awka, assuring residents that Anambra had no reported case of the disease.

Obidike said the state’s Epidemiology Unit had begun monitoring individuals referred through the national surveillance system as part of efforts to identify symptoms early, investigate alerts promptly and minimise the risk of transmission.

He explained that the state had followed up 40 persons of interest as of October 20. Of these, 33 had completed their monitoring period and been cleared, while seven remained under active follow-up. All seven were stable at the time of the briefing.

The commissioner clarified that persons of interest were individuals identified for public health monitoring because of relevant travel or exposure histories. Their inclusion in the monitoring process did not mean they had contracted Ebola.

He warned against stigmatising those being monitored or publicly disclosing their identities and personal health information, stressing the importance of confidentiality and cooperation with health authorities.

According to him, designated surveillance officers had been assigned to monitor the seven individuals throughout the prescribed 21-day period. The process includes regular communication, symptom checks, documentation and immediate escalation of any health concerns requiring further assessment.

Obidike said surveillance alerts had also been activated at airports, markets, motor parks, banks and other public places to strengthen early detection and reporting.

He added that members of the state’s surveillance team had participated in a two-day online training organised by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to improve their capacity for monitoring, documentation and reporting.

The state has also developed an Ebola preparedness and operational plan covering surveillance, rapid response, infection prevention and control, laboratory coordination, referral arrangements, risk communication and logistics.

Obidike urged disease surveillance officers, healthcare facilities and community reporting structures across Anambra’s 21 local government areas to remain vigilant and promptly report unusual illnesses or deaths.

He advised healthcare workers to observe standard infection prevention measures, obtain relevant travel and exposure histories from patients, and immediately notify the appropriate authorities whenever Ebola is suspected.

Residents who develop fever or other concerning symptoms following relevant travel or contact with a suspected case were advised to contact health authorities promptly, disclose their exposure history and call ahead before visiting a medical facility.

The commissioner also urged the public to practise regular hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with the blood and bodily fluids of sick persons, and refrain from handling bodies of people who have died from unexplained illnesses.

The briefing was attended by representatives of the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, Médecins Sans Frontières, the NCDC and the Association of Public Health Practitioners of Nigeria, among other health-sector stakeholders.

The Federal Government confirmed Nigeria’s first imported Ebola case in Abuja on October 20 and reported that 44 contacts had been identified for monitoring. National and state health authorities are continuing contact tracing and preparedness measures to prevent further transmission.