The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has warned Nigerians about the possible outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease(EVD) in the country. This was contained in a statement by the NCDC on Tuesday as Uganda continues to grapple with an outbreak of the deadly disease.
The statement read in part, “Based on available data, the overall risk of importation of the Ebola virus and the impact on the health of Nigerians has been assessed as HIGH for the following reasons: “The Sudan Ebola Virus does not currently have an effective drug for treatment or licensed vaccine for prevention. “The extent of the outbreak in Uganda has not yet been ascertained as investigations have shown that some persons may have died with similar symptoms which were not reported to health authorities. In addition, their burials were not conducted safely to prevent transmission.
“The case fatality rate of the Sudan virus varied from 41% to 100% in past outbreaks. “The likelihood of importation to Nigeria is high due to the increased air travel between Nigeria and Uganda, especially through Kenya’s Nairobi airport, a regional transport hub, and other neighbouring countries that share a direct border with Uganda. “The likelihood of spread in Nigeria following importation is high due to the gatherings and travel associated with politics, the coming yuletide as well as other religious gatherings and festivals during the last few months of the year.”
Meanwhile, the NCDC stated that Nigeria was equipped to counter outbreaks.