The Federal Government says Genomic analysis of Nigeria’s imported Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) case has shown that the isolated virus appears closely related to that identified in the index case in Kenya.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, said this at a news conference  in Abuja on Friday night, while providing an update on the country’s response to the confirmed case.

Mr Pate said the finding was based on additional genomic analysis conducted with support from public health laboratories of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and Prof. Christian Happi’s laboratory at Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State.

He said, “That case appears to be closely related to the case identified in the index case in Kenya. That is all that we can say at this stage based on the genomic analysis. There is no evidence of travel of that index case in Kenya that links it to Nigeria, but the viruses are appearing to be related.”

The minister said the finding could influence the understanding of the virus’s transmission route, although further evidence was required.

He explained that the relationship between the viruses did not, by itself, establish how the infection reached Nigeria.

“That may or may not change our understanding of the route of transmission, given that the virus itself takes time to change,” he said.

Mr Pate said Nigeria still had only one confirmed case, while authorities continued contact tracing, quarantine and testing of identified contacts.

“The contacts have been traced, quarantined, and we are conducting additional tests, some of which are negative and others are pending,” he said.

He said the government had activated the various pillars of its response through the Incident Management System coordinated by the NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The minister said efforts were also being intensified to strengthen laboratory capacity, case management, public communication and infection prevention and control in health facilities.

He said health workers would receive training to protect themselves while triaging patients and managing suspected cases.

“All hospitals should be sensitised and health workers be aware, and when there are suspected cases, to notify public health authorities,” he said.

Mr Pate said public health authorities would continue to raise awareness about preventive measures, including handwashing and basic hygiene.

He explained that Ebola was not transmitted through the air but through direct contact with infected body fluids.

The minister urged Nigerians to obtain information from credible public health sources, including the NCDC, the ministry, the World Health Organisation and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

He cautioned against panic fuelled by unverified information on social media, assuring Nigerians that the country had qualified public health professionals and laboratory capacity to respond to the situation.

Mr Pate said the government would continue providing updates as the circumstances changed, while working to prevent the virus from spreading into communities.

“We are reassuring Nigerians that we will continue to work diligently to ensure that we contain this virus as much as possible and that we avoid a situation that it spills over to the communities.

“We call on Nigerians to remain vigilant, but also be calm. There is no need to panic, but it is important to follow public health preventive measures that have been clearly identified,” he said. 

(NAN)