Yobe govt activates emergency response, border surveillance over Ebola threat

Yobe State has not recorded any case of Ebola Virus Disease, but the government has placed its health system on high alert to forestall any possible outbreak.

The assurance was given on Monday in Damaturu by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Mohammed Lawan Gana, during a press briefing.

Gana, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Hadiza Sabo, said proactive steps have already been taken, including the activation of the Public Health Emergency Incident Management System and the formulation of a detailed preparedness and response blueprint.

He explained that the response is being driven from the Emergency Operations Centre and is anchored on the six technical pillars prescribed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

Given its proximity to an international border, Sabo noted, Yobe is scaling up surveillance at entry points and strengthening collaboration with border and transport authorities to ensure early detection and quick response to health threats.

She identified the pillars as coordination and management, disease surveillance, case management, infection control, laboratory support, risk communication, and point-of-entry monitoring.

On public sensitisation, the permanent secretary said the state is deploying radio, television, local town announcers and traditional rulers to disseminate preventive messages.

"Residents should practice regular hand washing, avoid contact with body fluids of symptomatic persons and promptly report strange illnesses or deaths at the nearest health facility," she advised.

She cautioned residents against spreading false information on social media, urging them to rely only on updates from the state Ministry of Health and the NCDC to avoid panic.

Yobe govt activates emergency response, border surveillance over Ebola threat