The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified Nigeria and other countries on the continent at “moderate risk of spread” of Ebola virus disease after an outbreak was confirmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The confirmation came after 16 out of 19 people died from a viral haemorrhagic fever in Bikoro area of the DRC.
Two of five samples tested were positive to Ebola.
The confirmation has put Nigeria on high alert, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has issued an advisory to help the public prevent an outbreak of Ebola in the country.
“Wash your hands frequently using soap and water – use hand sanitizers, when soap and water is not readily available,” the centre said in the latest advisory.
“Avoid direct handling of dead wild animals.
“Avoid physical contact with anyone who has possible symptoms of an infection with an unknown diagnosis.
“Make sure fruit and vegetables are properly washed and peeled before you eat them.”
In addition, it advised health workers to ensure “universal care precautions at all times.
“This includes the use of personal protective equipment when handling patients always. In addition, patients who are suspected to have Ebola should be immediately isolated from other patients,” it added.
Ebola is a zoonotic disease, affecting both animals and humans. Any of five known species of Ebola can cause an infection, but four of them can cause the disease in humans.
