Cross River activates Ebola response system, intensifies border surveillance

The commissioner for health, Henry Ayuk, assured residents that no Ebola case had been recorded in Cross River, urging vigilance and prompt reporting of suspected cases.

The Cross River State Government has activated emergency measures to prevent outbreak and spread of Ebola Virus Disease in the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists in Calabar on the state’s preparedness toward checking any importation of the virus from Uganda or the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where an outbreak has occurred.

Mr Ayuk, a medical doctor, said the action followed fresh warnings by the Federal Ministry of Health, after Ebola outbreaks were reported in Uganda and the DRC.

He noted that the outbreak had been declared a public health emergency of international concern under the International Health Regulations 2005.

According to him, the ministry has directed state governments to strengthen surveillance and emergency response system against possible importation of the disease.

He added that “our state’s public health emergency operations centre had activated its emergency operations centre in alert mode.

“The move would ensure rapid detection, reporting and response of any suspected Ebola case.”

The commissioner said authorities were closely monitoring symptomatic persons, travellers from affected countries and unexplained deaths involving bleeding symptoms.

He explained that surveillance and active case searches had been intensified across all local government areas, particularly border communities.

He said, “We are collaborating with neighbouring Cameroon and interstate border authorities for timely information sharing. Health workers, surveillance officers and port health officials are being sensitised on Ebola detection, reporting and isolation procedures.”

According to him, screening and follow-up of travellers from affected countries have also commenced at airports, seaports and land borders.

He said infection prevention measures, including hand hygiene, protective equipment use and isolation protocols, were being reinforced in health facilities.

Mr Ayuk, therefore, assured residents that no Ebola case had been recorded in Cross River, urging vigilance and prompt reporting of suspected cases.

The Ebola virus disease typically appears two to 21 days after exposure and can progress rapidly, with symptoms such as sudden onset of fever, severe fatigue, muscle and joint pain, severe fever, as well as vomiting and diarrhoea.

(NAN)