Nigeria’s Ebola index patient remains positive and hospitalised in Switzerland. Meanwhile, health authorities continue to monitor 62 contacts linked to the case.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) disclosed this during a webinar organised by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR).
The webinar focused on safeguarding Nigeria against Ebola.
The NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, spoke through the agency’s Director of Public Health, Dr Odianosan Ehiakhamen.
Patient’s Viral Load Shows Signs of Decline
Ehiakhamen said the patient’s viral load appeared to be declining. However, laboratory tests still returned positive results.
He explained that rising cycle threshold (Ct) values indicated the reduction.
The patient’s spouse has tested negative. Health authorities are accommodating the spouse separately.
The NCDC also confirmed that six contacts had left quarantine.
NCDC Targets December 7 to End Outbreak
The agency hopes to declare the outbreak over by December 7. However, that target depends on the absence of new cases and completion of all monitoring requirements.
Ehiakhamen acknowledged delays in detecting the infection. He said the patient initially received treatment for malaria and other fever-related illnesses.
He identified several gaps in Nigeria’s response. These include early detection, healthcare workers’ awareness and isolation facilities.
He also highlighted the need for stronger coordination between federal and state authorities.
The NCDC official urged state governments to strengthen disease surveillance. He also called for incident managers and better resources for quarantine and contact tracing.
Ehiakhamen added that no established vaccine or specific antiviral treatment currently exists for the Bundibugyo strain.
Experts Demand Stronger Ebola Preparedness
Professor Lolade Wright of the Lagos State University College of Medicine and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital warned about weak infection prevention funding.
She called for dedicated budgets at federal and state levels. According to her, emergency funding alone cannot support effective outbreak preparedness.
Wright also recommended a One Health approach. This would bring the health, environment and agriculture sectors together.
She urged authorities to tackle misinformation and survivor stigma through public education.
For Lagos, she recommended stronger patient-triage systems and improved laboratory capacity. She also called for regular healthcare worker training.
Wright further urged public and private hospitals to establish clear reporting procedures. She stressed the importance of monitoring exposed contacts and travellers for 21 days.
Doctors Warn Against Delayed Detection
Dr Iorhen Ekase, Head of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Immunology at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, stressed the importance of early detection.
He identified prompt isolation and supportive care as critical to improving survival.
Ekase warned healthcare workers against waiting for bleeding before suspecting Ebola.
He explained that dehydration, immune system disruption and multiple organ failure contribute to Ebola-related deaths.
The specialist urged doctors to examine patients’ travel and exposure histories. This could help distinguish early Ebola symptoms from malaria.
He added that prompt rehydration and treatment of complications could improve survival chances.
Epidemiologist Urges Faster Reporting
Dr Ismail Abdulsalam, an epidemiologist with the Lagos State Ministry of Health, warned that reporting delays could weaken containment efforts.
He urged hospitals to activate surveillance and contact-tracing procedures whenever they suspect an infection.
Abdulsalam also advocated the 7-1-7 framework.
The framework requires health authorities to detect outbreaks within seven days of symptom onset. They must notify public health authorities within 24 hours of detection.
It also requires authorities to begin response measures within seven days of notification.
He said effective Ebola control depends on timely detection, reporting and coordinated action.
Abdulsalam called for stronger community surveillance and faster reporting. He also urged all levels of government to coordinate their response.
