The United States Mission in Nigeria has advised its citizens to take precautions following the confirmation of an Ebola case in the country, as health authorities begin contact tracing to prevent further spread of the virus.
In a health advisory published on its official X account on Wednesday, the mission urged Americans in Nigeria to follow medical guidance and seek prompt attention if they developed symptoms associated with the disease.
The warning came a day after the Federal Government confirmed Nigeria’s first Ebola case in more than a decade.
The patient, a woman who arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, tested positive for the virus in the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday, 20 October.
The government said she was receiving treatment in isolation at a private hospital, while health authorities had identified 44 close contacts and commenced efforts to trace and monitor people who might have been exposed to the infection.
The US Mission urged travellers and members of the public to consult the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for information on Ebola and travel health guidance for Nigeria.
It also advised people who might have been exposed to the virus to contact their healthcare providers if they developed symptoms.
“If at risk for Ebola, alert your healthcare provider if you are experiencing symptoms consistent with Ebola to receive guidance prior to presenting for care,” the advisory stated.
The mission warned that malaria symptoms could resemble those of Ebola, potentially causing unnecessary alarm, and advised citizens to continue taking preventive medication as prescribed by their doctors.
“Continue to take malaria prophylaxis as recommended by your doctor. Symptoms of malaria can mimic symptoms of Ebola, leading to preventable health scares,” it added.
It also advised travellers returning from areas affected by Ebola to monitor their health for three weeks.
“Monitor your health for 21 days following travel to an area experiencing an Ebola outbreak,” the mission said.
The advisory further urged Americans to check their travel insurance policies for medical evacuation arrangements in case they fell ill while abroad.
“Check with your travel insurance provider about medical evacuation options should you fall ill while overseas,” the advisory stated.
The confirmed case involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which is responsible for an ongoing outbreak that began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has spread to other countries. The strain has no approved vaccine or specific treatment, making early detection, isolation and infection prevention particularly important.
Nigeria’s health authorities had intensified surveillance and preparedness measures following the confirmation of an imported case in Kenya earlier in October.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said it had been strengthening the country’s capacity to detect and contain potential infections, including through improved surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, contact tracing and infection prevention measures.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person who is showing symptoms, or through contaminated materials.
The Federal Government has commenced response measures to contain the infection and prevent further transmission.
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