The Niger State Government has placed its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre on heightened alert and strengthened disease surveillance following the confirmation of an Ebola Virus Disease case in Abuja. 

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Murtala Muhammad, disclosed this in a statement today, assuring residents that no case of Ebola had been detected in Niger State. He explained that the precautionary measures are necessary because of frequent movement between Niger State and the Federal Capital Territory, activities around Minna International Airport and the state’s international border with the Republic of Benin. 

Muhammad said the state government is working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organisation, local government health authorities and development partners to strengthen preparedness and prevent possible transmission. As part of the response, public and private health facilities across the state have been directed to report suspected cases immediately.