Oyo Govt Receives Alert On New Ebola Outbreak

 

The Oyo State Government has been alerted to a confirmed Ebola-related fatality involving a healthcare worker in the Republic of Uganda.

This development, as confirmed by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi underscores the global health principle that “a disease anywhere is a disease everywhere.”

The identified strain, Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (SVD), has historically exhibited case fatality rates ranging from 41% to 100% in previous outbreaks.

She said Ebola is a severe and often fatal illness characterized by symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle and chest pain, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, jaundice, and unexplained bleeding.

Ajetunmobi highlighted the modes of transmission of the disease to include the following:
1. Animal-to-Human Transmission:
• Direct contact with infected wild animals, particularly fruit bats, monkeys, and apes.
• Hunting, handling, or consuming infected wildlife or coming into contact with their secretions.
2. Human-to-Human Transmission:
• Direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals, including blood, urine, semen, vomit, and mucus.

The Commissioner also reeled out the proactive measures by the Ministry of Health, which includes:
✔ Call Centre Reactivation: A dedicated emergency response line is now operational for prompt reporting of suspected cases.
✔ Enhanced Surveillance: Strengthened monitoring and early detection systems across Local Government Areas (LGAs) and communities.
✔ Reinforced Infection Prevention and Control (IPC): Healthcare workers and frontline responders across all healthcare facilities have been instructed to adhere strictly to IPC protocols.
✔ Designation of Holding Bays: Facilities have been designated at border settlements and within the metropolis for isolating suspected cases.

Also Read:  BREAKING: Grief as Ibadan-born Nigerian Islamic Scholar Alhaji Muyideen Bello Dies

Dr. Ajetunmobi said although there is no outbreak in the country neither is it in the State, however these are just preventive measures to the public. She therefore on behalf of the government, urged the public to take the following precautions:
•Practice good hand hygiene by washing hands regularly with soap and running water or using hand sanitizer.
• Avoid contact with wildlife species known to harbour the virus, including fruit bats, monkeys, and apes.
•Avoid physical contact with anyone who has an infection with unknown diagnosis.
• Report any sick individual to the nearest health facility for immediate medical attention.
• Remain vigilant and promptly report returnees from affected regions for appropriate monitoring.
• Healthcare professionals should maintain a high index of suspicion in line with viral hemorrhagic fever case definitions.

The Commissioner assured that the Oyo State Government remains committed to safeguarding public health and is fully prepared to prevent and respond to any potential threats. Citizens are encouraged to cooperate with health authorities and adhere strictly to safety guidelines.

She also said if anyone exhibits symptoms of Ebola or have information on a suspected case, the following emergency hotlines should be contacted:

📞 08033742052
📞 07032067763

She added, “Together, we can prevent and protect our communities from the spread of infectious diseases.”



...For the latest news update, Subscribe to our Whatsapp Channel (Click Here) and join our Telegram Update Group (Click Here)

U.K
Do you know that you can now get your Stories, Articles, Events, and Eyewitness Reports published on Westerndailynews.com ?
Also Read:  Covid-19: UCH Staff Outlines Steps To Stop Pandemic

You can also advertise your Product and Services on our page for more patronage
Contact us today by sending your Stories, Articles, Events, and Eyewitness Reports for publications as well as products and services for advertisement to westerndailies2018@gmail.com or WhatsApp (+2348058448531) for more information