The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has announced that all 62 identified Ebola contacts in the Federal Capital Territory, have completed the mandatory 21-day monitoring period without contracting the virus.
Jide Idris, NCDC Director-General, disclosed this in Abuja on Friday, stressing that the last person under surveillance completed the monitoring period and was discharged on November 13.
Although 13 of the 62 contacts developed fever or other symptoms during the monitoring period, laboratory tests confirmed that none had contracted the virus.
Speaking at a press briefing, Idris described the development as an important milestone in the country’s efforts to contain the imported infection, adding that no transmission from the initial patient had been recorded.
“Today, we announce an important milestone in our national response to the imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease,” he said.
“The 21-day monitoring period for all 62 identified contacts has been completed with the last contact discharged today.
“We are glad to announce that none of the contacts became ill, meaning no transmission from the index case.”
The NCDC chief attributed the outcome to early detection, prompt investigation and cooperation from members of the public, particularly those identified during the contact-tracing exercise.
However, he warned that completing the monitoring exercise should not be mistaken for an official declaration that the Ebola outbreak has ended, stressing that Nigeria must remain prepared for possible imported infections.
“Given the ongoing transmission of Ebola in the DRC, Nigeria remains vigilant and at high alert. Our National Emergency Operations Centre remains activated at level 3 to protect the health of all Nigerians,” he said.
Idris commended public health officials and healthcare workers in the FCT, whose vigilance helped trigger the initial alert and subsequent investigation.
On October 20, the federal government said it had recorded a confirmed case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The patient was identified as a 42-year-old woman who had travelled from Uganda and arrived in Abuja on October 3 via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
She developed symptoms on October 7 and was admitted to a private health facility on October 11.
The NCDC was notified on October 19, prompting an investigation and sample collection. The agency’s national reference laboratory confirmed the infection the following day.
The patient was subsequently evacuated to Switzerland on October 26 for further medical care, alongside her husband, who was identified as a close contact.
She had since recovered and was discharged from hospital on November 11.