Ebola scare: NCDC clears two suspected cases in Adamawa after negative tests

From Fred Ezeh, Abuja

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has ruled out Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in two suspected cases identified in Yola, Adamawa State, after laboratory tests returned negative results.

The development comes amid heightened public health concerns following the agency’s earlier announcement that two suspected Ebola cases had been identified in Nigeria’s North-East region, without initially disclosing the states involved.

In a statement issued on Saturday night, the NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, confirmed that Adamawa was one of the states where the suspected cases were reported, adding that the two individuals tested negative after two rounds of laboratory testing.

Idris said the agency was working closely with the Adamawa State Government, through the State Ministry of Health and Human Services, to investigate the reported cases.

According to him, the Adamawa State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre received the report in the early hours of October 30, following the identification of two individuals presenting with symptoms suggestive of Ebola.

He explained that the individuals were immediately isolated, while appropriate public health measures were activated and samples collected for laboratory investigation.

“Fortunately, the samples turned out negative for EVD after two rounds of testing,” he said.

The NCDC boss commended the Adamawa State Commissioner for Health and his team for their proactive response, assuring that the agency would continue to provide technical support to strengthen the state’s response operations.

He stressed that there was currently no laboratory-confirmed Ebola case in Adamawa State, adding that the index case previously confirmed in the Federal Capital Territory remained Nigeria’s only confirmed case.

The latest development effectively rules out the two suspected cases in Adamawa, although the NCDC did not disclose the identity of the second North-East state mentioned in its earlier alert.

Idris urged Nigerians to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information or speculation about the situation, advising members of the public to rely on official government and public health communication channels.

He reiterated that Ebola Virus Disease is a serious infectious disease requiring prompt identification, appropriate clinical management and effective infection prevention and control measures.

The NCDC Director-General advised anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding, particularly following a relevant exposure, to seek immediate medical attention.

He also urged individuals to disclose relevant travel or contact history to healthcare workers and to avoid self-medication.

Idris assured that the NCDC, in collaboration with the Adamawa State Government and other relevant stakeholders, would continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as verified information becomes available.

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