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| Ebola and NCDC used to illustrate the story |
Monday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control advised residents to avoid travelling to Uganda unless absolutely necessary.
Ifedayo Adetifa, the director general of the NCDC, issued the warning in a statement that he signed on Monday in Abuja.
He explained that the warning is intended to give public health officials time to plan how to control the Ebola outbreak.
The Ugandan Ministry of Health reported 128 confirmed cases and 34 fatalities as of October 29, 2022.
Mr Adetifa advised important visitors to Uganda to avoid contact with those who were visibly ill or who were thought to have the Ebola virus.
He said that the Federal Ministry of Health's Port Health Service has increased its screening of travellers coming from Uganda at points of entry (POEs).
The NCDC boss said “travellers to Nigeria with recent travel history to Uganda or persons already in Nigeria but with recent travel history to or transit through Uganda within the past 21 days are to look out for symptoms.
“Symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, sore throat, diarrhoea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain or unexplained bleeding or bruising should promptly call 6232 or state ministry of health hotlines for assessment and testing.
“Such persons should not visit health facilities by themselves to avoid further spread through the shared transport system (public or private).
“They would be visited at home by dedicated responders for assessment and transported through designated transport arrangements to designated treatment centres when required.
“Intending travellers to Nigeria with the above-stated symptoms before departure, should not travel to Nigeria, but call to report promptly to Port Health Authorities and/or designated health authorities in the country of departure for testing and care,” he said.
He added that inbound travellers to Nigeria with recent travel history to or through Uganda without symptoms on departure but unwell while in transit should be denied contact with other people.
Mr Adetifa said such people are required to report to Port Health Service on arrival.
“Travellers with a travel history to Uganda who show no symptoms on arrival should provide accurate information on the NITP platform to ensure follow-up from health workers.
“If any of the earlier-mentioned symptoms develop anytime within 21 days of arrival to Nigeria, please self-isolate immediately by staying indoors. Avoid contact with others, including immediate family.
“Call the NCDC 24/7 toll-free line immediately on 6232 or the emergency number of the state ministry of health,” he added.
According to him, early initiation of supportive treatment has been shown to significantly improve outcomes, including reduced deaths.
The director-general said that local or international travel is not recommended until the completion of the 21-day follow-up period, adding that “to prevent the spread of Ebola, the public should adhere to necessary precautionary measures.
“Wash your hands frequently using soap and water or use hand sanitisers when soap and water are not readily available and your hand is not visibly soiled.
“Avoid physical contact with anyone who has symptoms of an infection with an unknown diagnosis.
“Healthcare workers are advised to always adhere to standard precautions. This includes the use of Personal Protective Equipment always when handling patients, and always maintaining a high index of suspicion.”
(NAN)