Ebola: Nigeria Talk Say Dem No Go Ban Large Gatherings

Federal Government don rule out immediate ban on conferences and other big gatherings following the confirmation of Ebola case for Nigeria, as government talk say for now, no evidence show say the disease don spread enter the community.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, announce the decision during one briefing for Abuja on Thursday. E add say any restriction go depend on scientific evidence and advice from experts.

“For now, nothing show say we need to change plans for the big gatherings wey dem don already arrange,” Pate talk.

But e warn say government fit change the decision if the situation become worse.

Government don also direct ministries, departments and agencies make dem reduce visits from foreign delegations, especially those wey dey come from or pass through countries wey Ebola don affect.

Pate talk say the condition of the patient dey improve, as laboratory test results dey show encouraging signs.

“Today, I speak with the doctors wey dey treat her, and I understand say her laboratory test results dey show serious improvement. E even get possibility say she go recover from the disease,” e talk.

The patient, wey be woman, arrive Nigeria from Uganda and test positive for Ebola on October 20, after she begin show symptoms some days after she arrive.

Federal Ministry of Health talk say dem don identify 44 people wey get contact with the patient, and dem dey monitor them. The people include health workers and others wey fit don come in contact with her.

Government don increase contact tracing, surveillance for airports and other entry points, plus public awareness campaigns to prevent more people from catching the disease.

Meanwhile, Pate talk say 21 states don update their Ebola preparedness and response plans, while 15 states never do am.

E urge Nigerians make dem no spread information wey nobody don verify, and make dem follow advice from health authorities.

World Health Organization (WHO) don also call for stronger surveillance and better preparation across the region as the Ebola outbreak continue to spread.