The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has warned
Nigerians against non-essential travel to Uganda amid the Ebola outbreak.
Uganda had, on September 20, declared an outbreak of Ebola
after a 24-year-old male exhibited symptoms of the disease, tested positive,
and later died.
As of October 28, the Uganda ministry of health has reported
128 confirmed cases and 34 deaths.
The NCDC, in a statement on Monday, said it had put up several measures to prevent and mitigate the impact of a potential outbreak in Nigeria — including the development of an incident action plan and heightening of point of entry (POE) surveillance.
The agency, however, warned against “all but essential
travel to Uganda for now until public health authorities have determined the
outbreak to be contained”.
“When travel to Uganda is unavoidable, travellers are
advised to avoid contact with obviously sick persons or suspected cases of
Ebola,” the statement reads.
“Persons already in Nigeria but with recent travel history
to or transit through Uganda within the past 21 days who experience symptoms
such as fever, muscle pain, sore throat, diarrhoea, weakness, vomiting, stomach
pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising should promptly call 6232 or state
ministry of health hotlines for assessment and testing.
“Such persons should
not visit health facilities by themselves to avoid further spread through the
shared transport system (public or private). They would be visited at home by
dedicated responders for assessment and transported through the designated
transport arrangement to the designated treatment centre when required.
“Intending travellers to Nigeria with the above-stated
symptoms before departure should not travel to Nigeria but call to report
promptly to Port Health Authorities and/or designated health authorities in the
country of departure for testing and care.
“Inbound travellers to Nigeria with a recent travel history
to or through Uganda without symptoms on departure but who become unwell while
on transit are required to avoid contact with people and to report to the Port
Health Services on arrival at the point of entry to Nigeria.
“Travellers with a travel history to Uganda who show no
symptoms on arrival should provide accurate information on the NITP platform to
ensure follow-up from health workers.
“If any of the earlier-mentioned symptoms develop anytime
within 21 days of arrival in Nigeria, please: Self-isolate immediately by
staying indoors.”
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