The World Health Organization
emphasized that prompt detection, swift isolation of patients, and advances in treatment methods are already helping to bring down the number of Ebola-related deaths.
The World Health Organization reported that the outbreak is currently limited to six out of the 21 health areas in the affected zone. Among those infected are five healthcare workers, with three losing their lives.
WHO further revealed that women and children are the most affected, as females make up 57.1 percent of all cases and account for more than half of the recorded deaths, while children under the age of 10 represent 31 percent of the fatalities.
It further noted that the ages of confirmed cases range from newborns to 65 years.
Response Efforts
The World Health Organization highlighted that timely detection, effective isolation of patients, and enhanced treatment measures are contributing to a decline in fatality rates.
However, persistent challenges—including shortages of protective equipment, gaps in contact tracing, unsafe burial practices, and continued reliance on traditional healers—are still driving the spread of the disease.
Ebola, first identified in 1976, is a severe hemorrhagic fever. It is highly infectious and spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals. Symptoms range from fever, weakness, sore throat, and diarrhoea to life-threatening complications such as organ failure and uncontrolled bleeding.
The ongoing outbreak is linked to the Zaire strain of the virus, the deadliest form, but one for which a vaccine is available. In response, the World Health Organization recently announced that health authorities in the DRC have launched vaccination campaigns. The International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision has approved the shipment of about 45,000 additional vaccine doses to strengthen the outbreak response.
WHO supported the DRC in requesting these doses and, alongside partners such as UNICEF, helped develop a comprehensive vaccination rollout plan. Training is also underway for vaccination teams on data collection and field operations to ensure effective coverage.
Nigeria’s Response
In Nigeria, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) issued a fresh advisory after two suspected cases of viral hemorrhagic fever in Abuja tested negative for both Ebola and Marburg viruses.
The Director-General of the NCDC, Jide Idris, stated that the samples are still being tested for other possible causes, including Lassa fever and dengue.
He explained that one of the suspected cases involved a traveller who had returned from Kigali and promptly sought medical attention at a hospital in Abuja after falling ill. Idris praised both the patient and the medical team at Nisa Premier Hospital for their quick action.
He emphasized that such vigilance and timely reporting are vital to strengthening Nigeria’s preparedness against potential health threats.
The NCDC stressed that healthcare workers, family members, and mourners who come into contact with infected individuals or bodies during burials are at the greatest risk of contracting the virus.
It advised Nigerians to stay calm yet vigilant, underscoring the importance of routine safety measures such as maintaining proper hygiene and ensuring the safe care and handling of those who are ill.
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