The Anambra Government says no case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has been confirmed in the state, urging residents to remain calm and observe preventive measures.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, gave the assurance while briefing newsmen in Awka on Wednesday, following the announcement of a laboratory-confirmed Ebola case in Abuja.
Obidike said the state had strengthened its surveillance and preparedness measures to prevent the virus from spreading into Anambra.
He urged residents not to panic, stressing that the state had been monitoring persons of interest identified through the national surveillance system.
According to him, persons of interest are individuals identified for public health follow-up based on their travel or exposure history and their monitoring does not mean they have contracted the virus.
“Being placed under monitoring does not mean that a person has Ebola. Such individuals should not be stigmatised or described as confirmed cases,” he said.
The commissioner disclosed that, as of Oct. 20, the state had monitored 40 persons of interest, out of whom 33 had completed the prescribed 21-day monitoring period and been cleared, while seven remained under active follow-up.
He said designated surveillance officers, under the coordination of the State Epidemiologist, were conducting regular communication, symptom checks and documentation throughout the monitoring period.
Obidike added that the monitoring exercise had been ongoing for several months, with the state epidemiologist and other designated officers directly involved.
He also said members of the state surveillance team had participated in a two-day online training organised by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) on monitoring persons of interest.
According to him, the training strengthened the team’s capacity for monitoring, documentation, reporting and prompt escalation of suspected cases.
“We have three holding centres where we can monitor suspected cases in the state.
” We have also directed secondary and tertiary health facilities to identify and designate holding centres for suspected cases to prevent the spread of the virus,” he said.
The commissioner called on the media to support public health awareness by disseminating accurate information and sensitising residents on preventive measures.
“Ebola has not been detected in Anambra and we are working with our health partners to prevent the virus from entering the state,” he said.
He advised residents who developed fever or other concerning symptoms after relevant travel or contact with a suspected Ebola patient to contact health authorities promptly and disclose their travel or exposure history.
Obidike also urged residents to practise regular hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with the blood and body fluids of sick persons and refrain from handling the bodies of people who died from unexplained illnesses.
He cautioned against spreading rumours or disclosing the identities of persons under monitoring, adding that the ministry would continue to provide updates as verified information became available.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr Chuma Emembolu and the State Coordinator of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Mohamed Bonos, among others, attended the briefing.
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