The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has advised citizens to avoid all but essential trips to Uganda and other countries with confirmed Ebola Virus Disease cases.
The advisory followed the January 30 confirmation of the outbreak of the Sudan strain of Ebola virus in Wakiso, Mukono and Mbale City by the Ugandan Ministry of Health.
The NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris said the agency is reinforcing surveillance at entry points, updating emergency response plans and expanding diagnostic capacity in key laboratories and also advised Nigerians to avoid non-essential travel to affected countries.
“Nigerians are therefore urged to adhere strictly to preventive measures such as practicing good hand hygiene – Wash your hands regularly with soap under running water or use hand sanitisers when soap and water are not readily available,” the NCDC advised.
“Nigerians are also advised to avoid physical contact with anyone who has symptoms of an infection with an unknown diagnosis. Avoid the consumption of bush meat, particularly bats and non-human primates, which are known reservoirs of the Ebola virus. And if you have to, ensure that such is properly prepared and cooked before consumption.”
The NCDC urged healthcare workers to maintain heightened vigilance, ensure strict patient isolation, adhere to infection prevention protocols, and use appropriate protective equipment when managing suspected cases.
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