The Borno State Government has constituted a Rapid Response Team (RRT) to strengthen preparedness and ensure a prompt response to any suspected case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the state.
Dr Goni Ali, Director of Public Health, Borno Ministry of Health, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Maiduguri.
Ali said the multidisciplinary team comprised trained public health professionals mandated to detect, investigate and contain disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies across the state.
He said the state had also identified two isolation centres in two health facilities for the management of suspected Ebola cases, as part of its preparedness measures.
According to him, the team will strengthen disease surveillance, investigate suspected cases, trace contacts, facilitate safe sample collection and implement appropriate infection prevention and control measures.
He said the government would develop Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials for distribution to the public to raise awareness about Ebola prevention and encourage early reporting.
Ali explained that the team would coordinate activities among local government authorities, health facilities and relevant public health agencies to ensure effective outbreak management across the state.
He said preparedness measures would include providing adequate personal protective equipment, ensuring safe transportation of suspected cases, proper waste management and protecting frontline health workers from possible infection.
The director added that health workers in public and private facilities would be sensitised to recognise suspected cases, isolate patients safely and promptly notify appropriate public health authorities.
He said surveillance would also be strengthened along major travel routes, border crossings and other locations with high population movement to facilitate early detection of possible imported cases.
Ali emphasised the importance of risk communication and community engagement, urging residents to rely on verified information and avoid spreading rumours or stigmatising people suspected of infection.
He said the state would continue collaborating with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and other relevant stakeholders to ensure operational readiness against potential Ebola outbreaks.
The director emphasised that early detection, immediate isolation, contact tracing and strict infection prevention measures remained critical to containing any potential outbreak and protecting public health in the state.
(NAN)
