NCDC places Nigeria at ‘moderate risk’ of Ebola
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has placed Nigeria at ‘moderate risk’ of Ebola outbreak as Guinea battles the contagion.
The NCDC made this known via its website, stating that the decision was based on the proximity of Guinea to Nigeria and other West African countries, as well as other indicators.
Guinea experienced outbreak of the Ebola on February 14, and cases and deaths were reported in the N’zerekore region of the country.
The cases were detected among seven people who had attended the burial of a nurse on February 1, NCDC said.
Following the declaration of the outbreak, the Guinean government has initiated response activities. The World Health Organization, Africa Centres for Disease Control, and West African Health Organisation have announced that they are supporting the country’s response activities.
The Government of Guinea has also begun processes to access the global stockpile of vaccines for Ebola virus disease from the Vaccine International Coordinating Group, ICG.
The NCDC says it has an existing multi-sectoral National Emerging Viral Haemorrhagic Diseases Working Group, which coordinates preparedness efforts for EVD and other emerging viral haemorrhagic diseases.
“The EVHDWG has carried out a risk assessment on the possibility of transmission of the virus to Nigeria.
“Given the proximity of Guinea to Nigeria and other West African countries as well as other indicators, Nigeria has been placed at moderate risk of an EVD outbreak.
