…Contact tracing begins as laboratory tests are conducted
By Kingsley Samuel
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, has identified two suspected cases of Ebola Virus Disease in the North-East, with both individuals isolated as laboratory tests and contact tracing get underway.
The development comes 11 days after Nigeria confirmed a case of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Federal Capital Territory.
The NCDC, in an update on Saturday, said contact identification and listing were ongoing, while laboratory testing was being conducted to determine whether the individuals had the virus.
It cautioned that the suspected cases were not confirmed infections, saying: “Being classified as suspected cases does not mean they are confirmed Ebola cases; confirmation is subject to laboratory results.”
The agency did not name the states where the two suspected cases were identified.
It urged Nigerians to maintain good hand hygiene, practise enhanced sanitation and follow guidance issued by public health authorities.
“Further updates will be provided as verified information becomes available,” the NCDC said.
The Federal Government confirmed the Bundibugyo Ebola case in the FCT on October 20, after laboratory tests returned positive. The patient was isolated and contact tracing began.
