The Borno State Government has stepped up preparedness against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), constituting a Rapid Response Team and identifying two isolation centres to ensure a swift response to any suspected case.
Dr Goni Ali, Director of Public Health at the Borno Ministry of Health, disclosed this on Tuesday in Maiduguri, saying the measures were aimed at strengthening surveillance, early detection and containment of potential infections.
Ali said the multidisciplinary team comprises trained public health professionals mandated to detect, investigate and contain disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.
He explained that the two isolation centres, located in separate health facilities, would support the management of suspected Ebola cases as part of the state’s preparedness measures.
According to him, the response team will strengthen disease surveillance, investigate suspected cases, trace contacts, facilitate safe sample collection and enforce appropriate infection prevention and control measures.
The government will also develop Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials to educate residents on Ebola prevention and encourage the early reporting of suspected infections.
Ali said the team would coordinate response activities involving local government authorities, health facilities and relevant public health agencies to ensure effective outbreak management across the state.
He added that preparedness measures would include providing adequate personal protective equipment, ensuring the safe transportation of suspected cases, managing waste properly and protecting frontline health workers from potential infection.
The director said health workers in public and private health facilities would be sensitised to recognise suspected cases, safely isolate patients and promptly notify the appropriate public health authorities.
Surveillance would also be strengthened along major travel routes, border crossings and other locations with high population movement to facilitate the early detection of possible imported cases.
Ali emphasised the importance of risk communication and community engagement, urging residents to rely on verified information, avoid spreading rumours and refrain from stigmatising people suspected of infection.
He said the state government would continue to collaborate with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and other relevant stakeholders to maintain operational readiness against potential Ebola outbreaks.
The director stressed that early detection, immediate isolation, contact tracing and strict infection prevention measures remained critical to containing any potential outbreak and protecting public health.
The announcement concerns preparedness measures against suspected cases; it does not establish that Ebola cases have been confirmed in Borno State.
