The Taraba State Government has directed public and private health facilities to immediately report suspected Ebola cases, following reports of an Ebola case in Abuja, as the state steps up surveillance and prepares to introduce fever screening at its airport.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Bordiya Gbansheya Buma, who announced the measures, said the government was strengthening its preparedness in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and other relevant authorities.
Dr Buma directed all public and private healthcare facilities across the state to remain on high alert and immediately report suspected cases to the Ministry of Health.
He also disclosed plans to train healthcare workers and intensify public awareness campaigns to improve early detection and prevent possible transmission of the disease.
The commissioner urged residents to watch out for symptoms, including fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, and advised anyone who suspects exposure to the virus to contact health authorities promptly.
He explained that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who is showing symptoms.
He therefore advised residents to maintain proper hand hygiene and avoid contact with the body fluids of suspected patients.
Dr Buma also cautioned against spreading rumours, circulating unverified information, or stigmatising suspected patients, and urged residents to cooperate with health officials during contact-tracing exercises.
While appealing for calm and vigilance, the commissioner assured residents that the state government was taking precautionary measures to strengthen its response to the reported development in Abuja.
He urged residents seeking health information or wishing to report suspected cases to contact the NCDC toll-free line on 6232, which operates 24 hours a day.
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