The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has identified two suspected cases of Ebola disease in Nigeria’s North-East region.
The agency disclosed this in an update on Saturday, stating that the two individuals have been isolated while efforts are ongoing to identify and list people who may have had contact with them.
The NCDC added that laboratory tests are being conducted to determine whether the suspected cases are positive for the Ebola virus.
However, the agency cautioned the public against jumping to conclusions, stressing that being classified as suspected cases does not mean the individuals have been confirmed to have Ebola.
“Being classified as suspected cases does not mean they are confirmed Ebola cases; confirmation is subject to laboratory results,” the agency stated.
The disease control agency urged Nigerians to maintain proper hand hygiene, practise enhanced sanitation and adhere to public health guidelines to reduce the risk of infection.
It also assured the public that further updates would be provided as verified information becomes available.
Nigeria confirmed its first Ebola case in more than a decade on October 20, following the detection of the Bundibugyo strain in a 42-year-old Swiss woman who travelled from Uganda to Abuja.
The patient was subsequently isolated and treated by Nigerian health workers before the Federal Government evacuated her to Switzerland aboard a medical aircraft on Monday.
Her husband, who was identified as a close contact, was also evacuated to Switzerland.
Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, said the patient was clinically much improved, stable, conscious and communicating, with her laboratory test results approaching baseline levels.
