NCDC records two fresh suspected Ebola cases in North-East, begins tracing contacts

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has identified two suspected cases of Ebola in the North-East and isolated both individuals as it begins contact tracing, SaharaReporters reports.

In an update on Saturday, the agency said contact identification and listing were ongoing, while laboratory tests were being conducted. It cautioned that a suspected case does not mean the person has tested positive.

“Further updates will be provided as verified information becomes available,” the agency said.

The NCDC urged Nigerians to maintain good hand hygiene and enhanced sanitation.

The development follows a recent Ebola case in which a patient was evacuated to Switzerland. The World Health Organization (WHO) said on October 28 that Nigeria could not yet be declared Ebola-free because 53 contacts were still being monitored.

WHO’s Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu said: “Lab confirmation happened very quickly. We had a sequence happen very quickly. So I think appropriate measures have been carried out. Nigeria’s going to be proud of the response so far.”