Taraba State has stepped up health surveillance and said it intends to begin fever checks at the state airport after reports of an Ebola case in Abuja. Health Commissioner Dr. Bordiya Gbansheya Buma announced the measures on Monday in Jalingo, outlining steps aimed at improving readiness and limiting any possible spread of the virus.
Buma said the state is coordinating with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and other relevant agencies to strengthen monitoring systems and ensure medical facilities are prepared should potential cases emerge.
He instructed every public and private health facility in Taraba to stay alert and report any suspected Ebola infection to the Ministry of Health without delay.
The commissioner said the government also plans to train health personnel and expand public-information campaigns so that residents understand the disease’s signs, routes of transmission and preventive measures.
Residents should be alert to symptoms including fever, intense weakness, headaches, vomiting and diarrhoea, he said. Anyone who develops these symptoms after a possible exposure should seek medical care immediately.
Ebola can spread through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person who is symptomatic, Buma said.
He advised the public to practise good hand hygiene, avoid exposure to bodily fluids from suspected patients, and quickly notify health authorities about possible infections or exposure incidents.
Buma also warned against circulating unverified claims, misinformation or rumours, and urged people not to stigmatise those believed to have the disease.
The commissioner asked residents to cooperate with health workers, especially when contact tracing is being conducted, to help prevent a potential outbreak from escalating.
While saying the state government is prepared, Buma appealed for residents to remain calm but watchful and to follow official health guidance closely. People seeking health advice or wishing to report suspected cases can call the NCDC’s 24-hour toll-free number, 6232, he said.
