The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has dismissed fears of an Ebola outbreak in the nation’s capital, confirming that the suspected case reported this week tested negative.
Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, FCT Mandate Secretary for Health and Environmental Services, told journalists on Friday that the patient, identified as Patient X for confidentiality, developed fever and unexplained bleeding after returning from Rwanda. The case was promptly reported and investigated.
According to FCT Epidemiologist, Dr. Lukman Lawal, the alert triggered the immediate activation of the Emergency Operations System in line with World Health Organization (WHO), national, and FCT health protocols. Samples were taken and tested at the National Reference Laboratory, which returned a negative result within six hours.
Fasawe praised the patient for seeking medical help quickly, commended Nisa Premier Hospital for promptly raising the alarm, and acknowledged the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for swift collaboration.
“This incident shows our surveillance system is active and alert,” she said. “Every fever is not malaria. Every fever is not Ebola. What matters is early reporting and strict adherence to protocol.”
The mandate secretary stressed that while Nigeria currently has no recorded Ebola cases, vigilance remains high given outbreaks in neighboring countries. She also warned against panic and misinformation, urging citizens to report suspected cases via the toll-free line 6232 or NCDC platforms.
“The vigilance of one clinician can save a nation,” Fasawe noted, adding that the suspected patient is responding well to treatment for unrelated conditions and is expected to be discharged soon.
She further commended FCT doctors for calling off their strike, while praising Minister Nyesom Wike for approving their demands, urging patience as the implementation process continues.