Health Minister Announces Laboratory-Confirmed Case, Says Contact Tracing Is Underway to Prevent Further Spread
By Chioma Vivian James | Abuja
The Federal Government has announced a confirmed case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, with 44 close contacts identified for tracing as authorities move to prevent possible further transmission.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, following laboratory confirmation of the case.
According to the minister, identifying the 44 contacts is part of ongoing efforts to monitor individuals who may have been exposed to the infected person and promptly detect any additional cases.
Contact tracing is a critical public health measure that involves identifying, monitoring and following up on people who may have come into contact with an infected individual to interrupt possible chains of transmission.
However, details concerning the patient’s condition, the possible source of infection and the locations where the identified contacts may have been exposed were not immediately available.
The Federal Government is expected to provide further information as the public health response progresses.
