Cross River takes steps to prevent Ebola outbreak at borders

The Cross River State Government has put emergency measures in place to stop the Ebola Virus Disease from spreading in the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, shared this news on Friday while talking to journalists in Calabar about the state’s readiness to deal with any risk of the virus coming from Uganda or the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where there is an outbreak.

Mr Ayuk, who is also a medical doctor, said this decision came after new warnings from the Federal Ministry of Health, following reports of Ebola outbreaks in Uganda and the DRC.

He mentioned that the outbreak is now seen as a public health emergency of international concern under the International Health Regulations 2005.

The ministry has asked state governments to boost surveillance and emergency response systems to tackle any possible importation of the disease.

“Our state’s public health emergency operations centre has activated its emergency operations centre in alert mode,” he said. “This move will ensure quick detection, reporting, and response to any suspected Ebola case.”

The commissioner explained that officials are closely watching people who show symptoms, travellers from affected countries, and unexplained deaths that involve bleeding symptoms.

He added that surveillance and active case searches have been stepped up in all local government areas, especially in border communities.

“We are working with Cameroon and border authorities to share information quickly. Health workers, surveillance officers, and port health officials are being trained on how to detect, report, and isolate Ebola cases.”

He also mentioned that screening and follow-up for travellers from affected countries have started at airports, seaports, and land borders.

Infection prevention measures, like hand hygiene, using protective equipment, and isolation protocols, are being reinforced in health facilities.

Mr Ayuk reassured residents that there have been no recorded cases of Ebola in Cross River and encouraged people to stay alert and report any suspected cases immediately.

The Ebola virus disease usually shows up between two to 21 days after exposure and can escalate quickly. Symptoms include sudden fever, severe fatigue, muscle and joint pain, high fever, vomiting, and diarrhoea.