The Niger State Ministry of Health has activated the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) following a confirmed outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Murtala Muhammad-Bagana, disclosed this in a statement made available to reporters in Minna on Wednesday.
He said the state’s proactive measures were aimed at strengthening surveillance, early detection and rapid response capacity.
The commissioner said no case of Ebola had been detected in Niger State but stressed the need for precautionary measures to prevent transmission.
According to him, the heightened state of emergency followed the Federal Government’s confirmation of an Ebola case involving a traveller who recently arrived from Uganda.
Muhammad-Bagana noted that heightened vigilance was crucial because of the frequent movement of people and high volume of trade between Niger State and neighbouring Abuja.
“To ensure state-wide readiness, the ministry is actively collaborating with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other key international partners,” he said.
He added that all public and private health facilities across the state had been directed to immediately report any suspected case.
The commissioner disclosed that Local Government Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs) and response teams had been deployed to strengthen contact tracing, clinical assessment and safe referral protocols.
“Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures have been reinforced across all health centres to protect frontline workers and patients,” he said.
The commissioner urged residents to remain calm, avoid panic and maintain good hygiene, particularly by washing their hands frequently with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitisers.
He also advised residents to avoid direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of anyone exhibiting symptoms of the disease.
He warned against spreading unverified rumours or stigmatising individuals being assessed by public health officials.
The commissioner urged anyone experiencing symptoms or suspecting possible exposure to self-isolate immediately and contact public health authorities through the emergency hotlines before visiting a medical facility.
