NCDC Reports No New Ebola Cases After Monitoring Contacts

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced that 62 contacts of an Ebola case have completed their monitoring period without any secondary transmission. Dr Jide Idris, the NCDC Director-General, stated this during a news conference in Abuja.

He noted that while 13 of the contacts exhibited fever or other symptoms, they tested negative for Bundibugyo Virus Disease. Additionally, seven alerts from Adamawa, Rivers, Borno, Lagos, and Ekiti were investigated, all resulting in negative tests.

Idris cautioned that the completion of monitoring does not mean Nigeria is free from Ebola, as ongoing surveillance is essential, particularly with ongoing transmission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He highlighted that Nigeria's National Emergency Operations Centre is activated at Level Three, the highest response level for Ebola, focusing on clinical care, contact tracing, and strengthening disease surveillance.

The index case was confirmed on October 20, following an alert from healthcare workers, leading to a coordinated response.