*Ask FG to activate rapid response system

By Chioma Obinna

Nigeria’s medical scientists yesterday raised fresh alarm over the risk of Ebola slipping into the country, warning that the deadly virus spreading across the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, and Uganda could trigger a major public health emergency if urgent preventive measures were not activated immediately.

The warning came as the Academy of Medical Sciences, Nigeria, urged the federal government to tighten border surveillance, activate emergency preparedness systems and place all health institutions nationwide on high alert.

In a public health advisory addressed to the government, ministry of health, port health services, hospitals and Nigerians, the Academy warned that regional mobility, trade and travel had significantly increased Nigeria’s vulnerability to cross-border transmission.

“The recent outbreaks in DRC and Uganda present a credible risk of cross-border transmission into Nigeria due to regional mobility, trade and travel,” the Academy warned.

The advisory, signed by the Chairman of the Rapid Response Committee, Prof. Obinna Onwujekwe, and the Academy President, Emeritus Prof. Osato Giwa-Osagie, stressed that Nigeria’s successful containment of Ebola in 2014 should not create complacency.

“The recurrence of outbreaks within the African continent underscores the continued vulnerability of all nations to transboundary infectious diseases,” the experts stated.

The Academy described Ebola as a severe and often fatal viral haemorrhagic disease capable of causing widespread health, economic and social disruption if not rapidly contained.

The scientists warned that Nigeria’s airports, seaports and land borders must not be left exposed, calling for immediate deployment of rapid screening systems for travellers arriving from affected regions.

They recommended dedicated screening lanes for passengers from outbreak areas, digital travel surveillance systems, temperature checks, exposure-history assessments and emergency isolation units at entry points.

“Enhance monitoring at international airports, seaports and land borders, particularly for travellers arriving from affected regions,” the Academy stated.

The medical scientists also called for the urgent activation of the National Ebola Incident Management System involving the federal ministry of health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, prevention, port health services and state governments.

They warned that all states must immediately reactivate infectious disease emergency structures, isolation centres, referral systems and rapid response teams to prevent a repeat of previous outbreaks witnessed on the continent.

The Academy further urged health institutions across the country to establish Ebola-ready treatment zones with strict infection prevention protocols, warning that healthcare workers remained among the most vulnerable during outbreaks.

The experts said:  “Provide adequate personal protective equipment, infection prevention training and emergency protocols for frontline healthcare personnel.”