The Federal Capital Territory Administration has officially debunked fears of an Ebola outbreak in Abuja, confirming that a recent suspected case tested negative for the deadly virus.
Residents have been assured that there is currently no Ebola case in the territory.
At a joint press briefing with officials from the Association of Resident Doctors, the Mandate Secretary of the FCTA Health Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, stated categorically that the territory remains free of Ebola.
“Ebola is not in the FCT. Confirmed and verified, and I can say that with authority. Ebola disease is not here, but if it comes here, FCT is ready with all necessary tools. We are ready, we are prepared, and the system is in place,” she said.
Dr. Fasawe commended the individual, referred to as “Patient X,” for their prompt response in seeking medical care, and also praised Nisa Premier Hospital for its timely and appropriate handling of the situation.
“The patient did the right thing by coming to the hospital. The hospital also did the right thing by having a high index of suspicion, isolating the patient, and following the protocols,” she said.
She emphasized the importance of responsible health practices among residents, warning that not every fever should be assumed to be malaria. According to her, symptoms such as fever accompanied by bleeding from the nose, ears, or other body openings should be treated as medical emergencies.
“I hereby officially announce that she is negative for Ebola and negative for Marburg disease. These are viral hemorrhagic fevers that can lead to death and can affect all of us in less than 24 hours. It has been curtailed. It is negative. On behalf of the Minister, I say today that Ebola is not in FCT. Confirmed, verified, and set with authority. I appeal to members of the press to let us verify information before going out,” she stated.
Dr. Fasawe explained that the scare arose after the patient returned from Rwanda, which shares a border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country with confirmed Ebola cases.
“From travel history, we had to activate our protocol for Ebola, which has come out negative,” she said, adding that border surveillance efforts were being intensified in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
While praising the proactive steps taken by both the patient and the hospital, she said the administration responded swiftly, tracking the airline manifest and isolating possible contacts as a precaution.
“She came in with a fever and didn’t even go home. She went straight to a hospital. I want to commend the hospital for having a high index of suspicion and following the specified protocol. We had a possible one case that we were determined would not spread further than that one case, and I’m happy to say we are sailing free,” she said.
She encouraged private hospitals to emulate this level of vigilance and adherence to infectious disease protocols, and cautioned the public against complacency in seeking medical care.
“There’s a state epidemiologist, emergency operating centres, toll-free numbers, and social media handles. Please follow the protocol which we have again re-shared. Every fever is not malaria. If you have any sign of illness, especially with fever or bleeding from any orifice, it is a very big emergency. Report to the nearest health center,” she advised.
Dr. Fasawe revealed that this was not the first suspected case handled by the FCTA this year, but reassured residents that systems are in place to ensure their safety.
“Because of the protocols put in place, we will do what we have to do before coming out to the general public. At the time of testing negative, we are sure we are not at any risk. FCT is equipped with the facilities, human resources, and the systems to handle health care. Very soon, FCT doctors will be the best remunerated in the country. The Minister has also approved more health care workers to be employed. Every fever is not malaria. FCT is ready. We are prepared. The systems are there,” she concluded.
