Ebola: Enugu intensifies surveillance across 17 LGAs

— State reactivates emergency operations centre, places response teams on standby

By Anayo Okoli

ENUGU — The Enugu State Government has intensified disease surveillance across its 17 local government areas and reactivated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre following reports of an Ebola case in Nigeria.

The state Commissioner for Health, Prof. George O. Ugwu, disclosed this while assuring residents that no case of Ebola Virus Disease had been confirmed in the state.

“Let me begin by reassuring the people of Enugu State that there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in Enugu State,” he said.

Ugwu explained that the government had strengthened its preparedness measures in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Port Health Services, airport authorities and other relevant partners.

He said Enugu’s position as a major travel and commercial hub, particularly through the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, made it necessary to strengthen disease surveillance and response mechanisms.

According to him, the administration of Governor Peter Mbah considers the health security of residents a priority and is taking precautionary measures without creating unnecessary panic.

The commissioner said surveillance had been intensified across the 17 local government areas, while coordination with relevant agencies and monitoring around the international airport had also been reinforced.

He added that the State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre had been reactivated to coordinate preparedness and response, with rapid response teams and technical personnel on standby.

“I call on all public and private health facilities across the state to remain on heightened alert and maintain a high index of suspicion for suspected cases, particularly among persons with relevant travel or exposure history,” Ugwu said.

He urged healthcare providers to promptly isolate suspected cases and immediately report them to the appropriate Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO) or the state emergency operations centre.

The commissioner also called on health workers to maintain strict infection prevention and control measures, use appropriate personal protective equipment and report suspected infections through established channels.

He stressed that early detection and prompt notification were critical to preventing transmission, assuring health workers that the government would continue to provide the necessary support and guidance to protect them and ensure an effective response.

Ugwu urged residents to remain calm and observe preventive measures, including proper hand hygiene, avoiding contact with the body fluids of sick persons, seeking prompt medical attention when necessary and reporting suspected cases to the appropriate health authorities.

He cautioned against rumours, misinformation and stigmatisation, urging residents to rely on information from the Enugu State Ministry of Health, the NCDC and other recognised health authorities.

The commissioner said the state government would continue to collaborate with national authorities and other partners to strengthen preparedness, surveillance and response.

“I reassure the public that there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola in Enugu State. I urge everyone to remain calm, observe preventive measures, report suspected cases promptly and rely on verified information,” he said.