NIGERIA (Commonwealth Union) – It seems like the pandemic is not the only thing that Africa as a continent is going through right now. Ebola is about to join the party and give the Coronavirus a run for its money and all Nigeria is trying to do is to just make it through this rough patch and keep the people as safe as they possibly can.
The Nigeria Canter for Disease Control (NCDC) has issued a statement that they have made it a point to place all Nigerian people and tourists on high alert on the fact that it is likely Ebola could become a problem in the coming days and weeks.
Of course, this announcement of High risk was not made on assumptions alone. There was research done as well as a swift risk assessment by and organization run by the NCDC. The multi sectoral organization is called the National Emerging Viral Hemorrhagic Disease Technical Working Group (NEVHD TWG). This happened after there was a massive outbreak of the disease in Sudan. There were also strains of the virus found in Uganda, South Sudan and even in Congo.
In Uganda, the virus research institute made a report in September in which they confirmed that they had collected samples for research from a young male who had shown symptoms of the virus. The patient has passed away from complications of the disease later on in the capital Kampala. Since the death of the boy, the Ministry of Health in Uganda has confirmed reports of 54 other cases along with 24 deaths.
The NCDS has stated that Nigeria for right now has not had any cases of the virus as the country is taking all measures, they can to make sure the virus doesn’t spread across. But there is a high risk of the virus being carried through to Nigeria as there is an increase in air travel Between Nigeria and Uganda as well as Kenya and Nigeria. Although Kenya has not yet reported any confirmed Ebola cases, Kenya does share a border with Uganda.
