By Michael Ovat -Awka
Following the confirmation of Ebola Outbreak at Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, the Anambra State government, has announced plan to deployed surveillance health officers in Chinua Achebe International Airport Umueri, motor parks, banks and other social gathering areas.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Ben Obidike, who made the announcement while briefing Journalists at his office in Awka, on Wednesday, said the surveillance health officers will screen all the passengers coming into Anambra State from Abuja, Lagos and other part of Africa countries.
He said the swift measure will help prevent the outbreak in the state.
The Newsetters gathered that the Commissioner’s media chat was in reaction to the recorded case of Ebola in a female patient who travelled from Uganda in East Africa to Abuja few days ago.
He quoted the Health Minister, Dr Muhammad Ali Pate of saying the diagnosis had been confirmed by laboratory tests.
Speaking further, Dr Obidike, appealed to Anambra residents not to panic, noting that the State Government is on top of the situation.
According to him, The Anambra State Ministry of Health has taken note of the announcement of a laboratory-confirmed case of Ebola in Abuja. We urge residents to remain calm, remain vigilant and cooperate with public health authorities.
“As at time of report Anambra currently has Zero reported case.
“Anambra State’s preparedness efforts began before this development. Following the Ebola outbreaks in the region, the State Epidemiology Unit commenced follow-up and monitoring of persons of interest referred to the State through the national surveillance system.
“This work forms part of our efforts to identify symptoms early, promptly investigate alerts and reduce the risk of transmission.
“Persons of interest are individuals identified for public health follow-up because of relevant travel or exposure history. Being placed under monitoring does not mean that a person has Ebola, and these individuals should not be stigmatised or described as confirmed cases.
“Under the coordination of the State Epidemiologist, designated surveillance officers have been assigned persons of interest for follow-up throughout the prescribed 21-day monitoring period.
“The monitoring process provides for regular communication, symptom checks, documentation of follow-up findings and immediate escalation of any health concern requiring further assessment.
“This follow-up has continued over several months, with the State Epidemiologist and other designated officers directly participating in the monitoring exercise. The Ministry appreciates the cooperation of individuals being monitored and emphasises that their identities and personal health information must remain confidential.
“As of 20/10/2026, Anambra State has followed up 40 persons of interest. Of these, 33 have completed their monitoring period and have all been cleared, while 7 remain under active follow-up. The 7 under active follow up are all stable as at time of this report.
“Beyond individual monitoring, the State has undertaken preparedness work to support a coordinated response.
” Members of the surveillance team have participated in the NCDC-led two-day online training on persons-of-interest monitoring. This has supported the team’s understanding of follow-up procedures, documentation, reporting and escalation requirements.
“The State has also assigned monitoring responsibilities to designated officers and maintained coordination with national surveillance counterparts on persons referred for follow-up. These arrangements will help ensure that monitoring responsibilities are clearly allocated and that concerns can be brought promptly to the attention of the State Epidemiology Unit.
“In addition, Anambra State has developed an Ebola preparedness and operational plan to guide further action. The plan identifies priorities for surveillance, rapid response, infection prevention and control, laboratory coordination, referral arrangements, risk communication and logistics. Implementation of these priorities will be guided by assessed needs and available resources.
Our surveillance network across the 21 Local Government Areas of the State, Chinua Achebe International Airport, motor parks banks and other places remains central to preparedness.
“We call on Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers, health facilities and community reporting structures to remain alert and promptly report unusual illnesses or deaths for public health assessment.
“Healthcare workers should maintain standard infection prevention and control precautions with every patient, obtain relevant travel and exposure histories, and promptly notify the appropriate surveillance authorities when Ebola is suspected. Suspected patients should be managed using appropriate precautions, with referral coordinated through the designated public health channels.
“Residents who develop fever or other concerning symptoms after relevant travel or contact with a suspected Ebola patient should promptly contact health authorities and disclose that history. They should call ahead before attending a health facility so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
“We urge residents to practice regular hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with the blood or body fluids of sick persons, and avoid handling the bodies of people who have died from an unexplained illness. Please rely on verified information and avoid circulating rumours or identifying individuals under monitoring.
“Anambra State’s preparedness depends on early reporting, cooperation and trust, the Commissioner noted.
While commending the efforts of World Health Organization (WHO) and other health partners, he assure that the Ministry will continue to provide updates as verified information becomes available.
