NIGERIA: EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE OUTBREAK UPDATE

The Ebola virus disease outbreak started in Nigeria in the last week of July, to be
precise on the 30
th
of July 2014. The disease was imported into the country through the
Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos by an infected American-Liberian citizen
who flew into the country from Liberia.
The outbreak infected 11 Nigerians through the Liberian index case. Seven (7) deaths
have been recorded including the index victim, while eleven (11) infected persons have been
treated and discharged from the hospital (10 in Lagos and 1 in Port Harcourt). Six (7) deaths
have been recorded in Lagos, while one (2) deaths have been recorded in Port Harcourt.
Fifteen (15) persons have been infected in Lagos, while Port Harcourt has recorded four (4)
infections.
It must be noted that Enugu, in Enugu State also experienced Ebola Virus Disease
scare when one of the nurses who had contact with the index case left the quarantine location
to Enugu to meet her family. About 200 persons were put under observation in Enugu but
none of them was infected with the virus while the nurse and her fianc were brought back to
Lagos for observation and treatment.
It is worth mentioning that 195 cases were under observation in Lagos and majority of
them have been cleared. 200 cases were under observation in Enugu and have been cleared
but 477 contacts are still under observation in Port Harcourt. However they are expected to be
cleared if after the mandatory twenty one (21) days, they did not exhibit Ebola virus disease
symptoms.
History of Ebola virus in Nigeria
The Ebola virus disease (EVD) did not originate from Nigeria. It was imported into
the country by an infected American-Liberian who travelled from the infected Liberia to
Nigeria. Initially the disease was restricted to Lagos, specifically southwest of lkoyi, Lagos
before it was transmitted to Enugu and Port Harcourt by two persons who had contacts with
the infected American-Liberian. One of the nurses who treated the index case left the
quarantine location to Enugu, while the other contact who travelled in the same flight with
the index case did not offer himself to be observed and treated in Lagos, but rather travelled
to Port Harcourt and sought medical attention from a doctor who treated him and got
infected. The infection which happened in other parts of the Country namely, Port Harcourt
and Enugu originated from Lagos. To date no history of Ebola Virus Disease originating
from man or animal has been recorded in Nigeria apart from the one imported from Liberia.
Pattern of infection and deaths from EVD in Nigeria
Total number of nineteen (19) persons, have been reported infected by EVD in
Nigeria including the index case. Twelve (12) 63% of the nineteen (19) infected persons are
health personnel while seven (7) 27% are non health personnel. Seven deaths have been
recorded so far out of which two (2) 28% are non health personnel while five (5) 75% are
health personnel.
The current pattern of infections and deaths indicates that, health personnel and their
family are more at the risk of Ebola Disease infection than non health personnel. However it
must be noted that more non health personnel have been put under observation than health
personnel. 872 people were put under observation in Lagos (115), Enugu (200) and Port
Harcourt (477) out of which 30 (3.4%) are health personnel while 842 (96.6%) are non health
personnel.
Actions taken so far
The Federal and Lagos State Governments took immediate action to restrict and
contain the spread of the Ebola Virus in Nigeria. The immediate action taken after the
realisation that Ebola Virus was already in Nigeria include among others; establishment of
incident/information management centres, social mobilisation, community sensitization
resource mobilisation, advocacy, enlightenment campaign, tracing and tracking of contacts
with the index case, sensitization activities, networking, cooperation and collaboration and
request for technical support and assistance etc.
The Federal and State governments in Nigeria have been very proactive in tackling
the current Ebola Virus disease outbreak. Isolation and treatment centres have been
established, while serious and aggressive advocacy, enlightenment campaign and information
dissemination about the disease has been in top gear. The information management about the
disease has been of tremendous benefit and the general population of the country are been
mobilised daily to put the disease under management control.
It is of note to mention that the Nigerian Red Cross, in collaboration with
International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and International
Committee of the Red Cross have been mobilising volunteers and resources through
trainings, protective and preventive materials, funds and personnel to support the government
and local communities.
United Nations Agencies which include UNICEF, WHO, UNDP, UNHCR are also
very active in the activities against EVD in Nigeria. Other NGOs and International
Development Agencies are not left behind in their effort to stop the virus in Nigeria.
Face of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria
The outbreak of Ebola Virus in Nigeria has thrown up a lot of discussion and
argument. However all these have tended to enhance the capacity of Nigerians to cope with
the outbreak in one form or the other. But it is informative that there had been some
misinformation regarding the nature and treatment of Ebola Virus Disease which led to some
needless deaths that could be traced to ignorance and mismanagement of information. Those
that were not directly at risk took unnecessary panic actions which led to some deaths,
injuries and illness. Generally speaking however, a large percentage of Nigerians is aware of
the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease and what should be done in terms of environmental
sanitation, personal and corporate hygiene. There are strong indications that the population
have been mobilised and enlightened and are still well engaged in this process.
What to know about Ebola Virus Disease
What is Ebola?
Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever (EHF) is a very infectious and deadly disease that affects
human beings and some animals like monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees. The disease is
caused by infection with Ebola virus, named after a river in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (formerly Zaire) in Africa, where it was first recognized in 1976.
It is highly infectious and will make those infected very sick. Up to 90% of patients
infected with Ebola will die. There are currently NO vaccines or definitive treatment.
How can you catch Ebola?
The virus can be spread by direct contact with the blood and other secretions from an
infected, ill person. This includes saliva, urine, mucus, semen and all other body fluids. The
Ebola virus is also found in some animals like Fruits Bats, Monkeys, and Chimpanzees.
Therefore, humans can also be contacted by eating infected bush meat like monkeys and bats.
Remember, sick people spread the disease by direct contact or through their body
fluids. Therefore, family members are at the highest risk.
Dead bodies of people who died from Ebola can also spread the disease. So allow the
appropriate authorities to bury the bodies in the most effective way, in order to prevent the
spread of the disease.
What are the symptoms of Ebola?
Symptoms of the infection can start to show as early as two (2) days after contact with
an infected person or as long as three (3) weeks after.
These symptoms include;
Fever
Weakness
Muscle pain
Headache
Sore throat
This is usually followed by;
Vomiting (which may contain blood)
Diarrhoea (which may contain blood)
Cough (which may contain blood)
and in some cases, rashes and bleeding from the nose and mouth.
What should you do if you suspect you or a family member has Ebola?
Please seek medical attention if you feel sick (fever, headache, diarrhoea, vomiting,
stomach pain, rash, bleeding or red eyes).
Follow the advice of the support personnel talking to you;
Be careful not to spread it to your and neighbours.
Dispose of your vomit and diarrhoea safely so other people do not get infected.
How can you prevent the Ebola infection?
Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands properly and frequently with soap and
running water. (Do not use stale water, and do not re-use water). Hand Sanitizers are helpful.
Do not handle items that may have come in contact with an infected persons blood or body
fluids. Do not eat infected bush meat. Do not touch dead bodies of people with suspected
Ebola Virus Infection (including washing, kissing or carrying them).
Remember, you are at risk if you are in direct contact with a sick person suspected to
have the infection.