The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has told Abuja residents that disease monitoring has been increased. They asked people to stay alert and report any suspected cases of Ebola to the proper health authorities.
Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, the Secretary for Health Services and Environment, gave this update during a press briefing. She said both the FCT health system and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are fully ready to handle any possible outbreak.
This announcement came after the public started worrying due to reports of suspected cases of viral hemorrhagic fever in Abuja.
The NCDC confirmed that two suspected cases in Abuja tested negative for both Ebola and Marburg viruses.
They also said more tests are being done to check for other diseases like Lassa fever and dengue fever.
Ebola is a serious and often deadly illness caused by the Ebola virus. It can kill between 25% and 90% of people who get it.
People can catch Ebola from infected animals (especially during handling or eating) or from contact with the body fluids of infected people.
Most Ebola cases are spread from person to person when blood or other body fluids (like stool, urine, or semen) get into someone’s body through cuts or mucous membranes.
Ebola symptoms can vary, but common ones at the start include sudden fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat.
At the briefing, Dr. Fasawe said the public should feel safe knowing that the health system is alert. She explained that if the team wasn’t paying attention, the suspected case might have gone unnoticed, but the response was quick and the safety procedures worked.
She said the emergency system acted fast. The health team followed clear procedures on what to do before making public announcements, to avoid causing panic that could create more problems.
Dr. Fasawe thanked the patient for going to the hospital early and praised Nisa Premier Hospital in Abuja for raising the alarm, saying these actions helped stop the spread of disease.
She reminded everyone that not all fevers are malaria. She urged both public and private health workers to report any suspicious symptoms quickly.
She also asked private organizations to stay alert, saying, “We know the signs of Ebola. Not every fever is malaria. Right now, there is no Ebola in Nigeria. The suspected case tested negative within six hours. But our work doesn’t stop there.”
She said the health team must still inform the public, start safety measures, and begin contact tracing. She mentioned they even got the flight manifest to check who was on board. She thanked the NCDC for working closely with FCTA.
She asked the public not to spread unconfirmed information because it can create unnecessary panic and cause more harm.
She reminded everyone that the Emergency Operating Centre is open 24/7, and people can call the free number 6232 if they suspect a case. Private hospitals and the media can also use this line.
She said the health team also uses social media and other tools to share updates. The borders have been strengthened to catch any suspected cases early. She advised people to go to the nearest general hospital if they notice any symptoms.
Dr. Lukman Lawal, the FCT’s top disease expert, said that as soon as the suspected case was found, the team followed the proper steps. They notified the right authorities and collected samples.
He added that the team started contact tracing to find where the patient had been and who they had met.
He assured residents that the FCTA is doing everything possible to keep everyone in the territory safe and healthy.
