Ebola: FCT Health Secretary Confirms Suspected Case Negative, Assures Residents Of Safety

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has confirmed that a suspected case of Ebola in Abuja has tested negative, easing public concerns about a possible outbreak.

Addressing journalists on Friday, the Mandate Secretary, Health and Environment Service Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, made the announcement while assuring residents that robust surveillance systems remain in place to protect lives.

Fasawe said the outcome was the result of an effective health monitoring framework introduced under the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, citing the FCT’s swift handling of the 2023 diphtheria outbreak as proof of the system’s resilience.

“The no case that we have had this year is due to an effective and efficient surveillance system put in by the administration of the FCT Minister. We have been able to follow the protocols like every other state, even doing better than every other state.

“Diphtheria is highly contagious and can wipe out children in no time, but we were the first state to nip it in the bud and up till today, we have not seen any diphtheria case. Health is not only infrastructure. Health systems have been strengthened,” she explained.

On the Ebola scare, she disclosed that the patient, identified only as “Patient X” for confidentiality, had been thoroughly screened and further cautioned against spreading false alarms.

“I hereby officially announce that she is negative for Ebola and negative for Marburg disease. These are viral hemorrhagic fevers that can lead to death and can affect all of us in less than 24 hours. It has been curtailed. It is negative.

“On behalf of the Minister, I say today that Ebola is not in FCT. Confirmed, verified, and set with authority. I appeal to members of the press to let us verify information before going out,” she said.

Explaining the background of the scare, she said the patient arrived from Rwanda, which borders Congo where Ebola has been confirmed.

“From travel history, we had to activate our protocol for Ebola, which has come out negative,” she said, adding that border surveillance was being strengthened in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

While commending both the patient and the hospital that raised the alarm, Fasawe explained that the administration took no chances, even tracking the airline manifest and isolating possible contacts.

“She came in with a fever and didn’t even go home. She went straight to a hospital. I want to commend the hospital for having a high index of suspicion and following the specified protocol.

“We had a possible one case that we were determined would not spread further than that one case, and I’m happy to say we are sailing free,” she said.

Speaking further, Fasawe also urged private hospitals to emulate such a commending step in strictly following infectious disease protocols. Turning to the public, she warned against complacency in health-seeking behavior.

“There’s a state epidemiologist, emergency operating centers, toll-free numbers, and social media handles. Please follow the protocol which we have again re-shared.

“Every fever is not malaria. If you have any sign of illness, especially with fever or bleeding from any orifice, it is a very big emergency. Report to the nearest health center,” she advised.

Fasawe noted that this was not the first suspected case handled by the FCTA this year, but insisted residents remained safe.

“Because of the protocols put in place, we will do what we have to do before coming out to the general public. At the time of testing negative, we are sure we are not at any risk.

“FCT is equipped with the facilities, human resources, and the systems to handle health care. Very soon, FCT doctors will be the best remunerated in the country. The Minister has also approved more health care workers to be employed. Every fever is not malaria. FCT is ready. We are prepared. The systems are there,” she said.