Ebola virus disease: Nigeria at risk says health minister

Nigeria’s Federal Government said on Wednesday that the spread of Ebola Virus Disease to neighbouring West African countries has put the country in danger.

Professor Onyeabuchi Chukwu, Nigeria Minister of Health told journalists at the end of the weekly meeting of the cabinet that immigrants fleeing from crisis torn countries in Central Africa to Nigeria’s neighbouring countries such as Chad and Cameroon are putting the country in danger.

“ Ebola has been moving eastward towards Nigeria as well and we are already facing danger from Central African Republic, even with what is happening in Congo, people are also migrating to Chad and Chad, Cameroon are also on our borders,” said Chukwu who however noted that the country has not recorded any case of the disease.

Ebola Virus Disease has spread across West Africa with 137 cases and 86 deaths recorded since January this year.

But Professor Chukwu said Ebola which was more in Central Africa until now is just an addition to the ones that are even more native to West Africa which is Lassa fever. .

“Some of these viruses belong to a group that causes similar diseases like yellow fever which for 18 years now, we have not had a single case, but 18 years ago it devastated Nigeria.

“It is also the cause of what is called haemorrhagic fever. Then Lassa fever which you know has been ongoing, there are even parts of Nigeria where it is endemic like the northern part of Edo State, they record a case every week and it is also very deadly. We recently diagnosed a case of Dengue fever. There is one called Mabuck fever, it has not yet been detected in Nigeria,” said the Health Minister.

The Minister said government will produce radio and television jingles and newspaper advertisements to create public awareness about Ebola.

He added that government would adopt the method used to fight the polio virus which include working with religious bodies, communities, traditional rulers and the media to educate Nigerians on the virus.

“As I speak to you, we have already approved jingles to be produced in various languages produced by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control to be aired on Radio, TV and newspaper adverts.

“Then we are working with all groups, just like we are doing for polio, religious bodies, communities, traditional rulers and the media which is most important in this venture you will help us to play your role by educating Nigerians,” said the Minister.

While warning that there is no vaccine for prevention of Ebola, and other diseases like Lassa fever, the Minister urged Nigerians to take precautions which include seeing the doctor immediately they notice they are feverish.

Professor Chukwu said people should not wait as the three day after medication theory does not apply which Ebola kills very fast.

He added that constant washing of hands after each activity, avoiding eating of fruits without washing, as well as non consumption of fruits that have been eaten by bats are also ways of guarding against being infected by the Ebola virus.