Nigeria's Ebola cases rise to three as doctor calls for stronger state preparedness
- Two more people have been infected with Bundibugyo Ebola through Nigeria's imported case, bringing the total to three.
- A US-based Nigerian doctor wants preparedness and worker protection extended to state level.
- He urged better contact tracing, screening at entry points and protective gear for health workers.
Nigeria now has three confirmed cases of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus (BEV), after two more people were infected through the country's imported case, according to the Ministry of Health.
The first case was confirmed on October 20. It involved a Nigerian woman who flew from Uganda to Abuja on October 3 after visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
So far, 53 contacts have been traced, the ministry said.
The development has prompted a United States-based Nigerian medical practitioner, Dr Obinna Aniagboso, to call for stronger preparations at state level and better protection for health workers.
Aniagboso, a former official of the Nigeria Medical Association in Anambra State, told The Whistler that the imported case needs prompt and coordinated action. He said the federal government must make sure rapid and reliable laboratory tests are available, emergency operations centres are well resourced, and rapid-response teams are trained and can move quickly.
"Preparedness plans must be operational at both federal and state levels," he said, pointing to gaps in staffing, infection prevention and isolation capacity.
Why this matters for ordinary Nigerians
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person, or with contaminated surfaces and materials. Health workers caring for patients are among those most at risk, which is why protective equipment and clear isolation rules matter.
Aniagboso said health facilities need enough personal protective equipment (PPE), effective triage systems and clear steps for identifying, isolating and referring suspected cases. He also called for training, safe handling of test samples and respect for patients' privacy.
On May 28, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) grouped the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory into high, moderate and baseline risk. High-risk states include Lagos, the FCT, Rivers, Kano, Enugu, Borno, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Taraba and Adamawa, because of trade and travel routes, airports, seaports and porous borders.
Aniagboso said screening at airports and land borders should be consistent and free of discrimination, with coordination between countries, airlines and regional health authorities.
He also urged government to counter rumours with regular, clear updates in local languages, working with community and religious leaders.
For individuals, he advised regular handwashing with soap and running water, avoiding sick or dead wild animals, being careful with bushmeat and cooking meat thoroughly.
He said Nigeria's containment of the 2014 Ebola outbreak offers useful lessons, but warned that past success should not lead to complacency.
What happens next
Contact tracing is expected to continue, and the NCDC's state risk categories will guide where surveillance and screening are tightened. The sources did not say whether any of the three patients are in hospital or how they are doing.
