Private medical practitioners escalate Ebola surveillance in hospitals

The Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP) says it has intensified surveillance, infection prevention and control measures, and staff training across private health facilities nationwide to support the country’s Ebola response.

The association’s National President, Dr Ernest Chukwuma, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos.

The move follows the detection of an index case of Bundibugyo virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Oct. 20.

The patient was medically evacuated to Switzerland on Oct. 26, while Nigeria had intensified contact tracing, case investigations and infection prevention measures.

Chukwuma noted that private medical practitioners provided more than 70 per cent of healthcare services in Nigeria, and had directed its members to maintain a high index of suspicion.

“Private practitioners, as first points of contact for many Nigerians seeking medical attention, have a critical role to play in early detection, reporting and containment.

“This is particularly important, especially as we approach the Christmas season with many visitors expected in the country,” he said.

Chukwuma, who expressed relief that there were no active Ebola cases in Nigeria, however, said vigilance remained essential, particularly with increased travel and social activities during the festive season.

The president disclosed that state chapters had been directed to organise refresher training for doctors, nurses and other health workers on case identification, triage, infection prevention and control, and appropriate referral procedures.

He also outlined six key measures: heightened surveillance and early detection; immediate isolation and notification of suspected cases to state epidemiologists and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

Others are strict enforcement of infection prevention and control protocols; regular staff training; public education; and collaboration with relevant health authorities.

On infection prevention, Chukwuma said private facilities had been urged to strengthen hand hygiene, ensure adequate availability and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), practise safe waste disposal and carry out regular environmental decontamination.

He further cautioned practitioners against attempting to manage suspected Ebola cases independently, emphasising the need for immediate reporting and referral through established public health channels.

According to him,the association is also educating patients and communities that Ebola spreads through direct contact with blood and body fluids of an infected person, not through the air.

“We advise them on early presentations at health facilities.”

Chukwuma reaffirmed ANPMP’s commitment to working with the NCDC, the Federal Ministry of Health and state health authorities to strengthen Nigeria’s response.

According to the World Health Organisation, five countries have reported Ebola since the outbreak was declared on May 15,; DRC, France, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda.

WHO said outbreaks in France and Uganda had been controlled since August, while Kenya and Nigeria continued with ongoing response.

It disclosed that no new cases had been reported from Kenya or Nigeria since its previous update of Oct. 23.

WHO said that as of Nov. 3, a cumulative total of 62 contacts had been identified in Nigeria for follow-up.

NCDC, in its situation report published on Nov. 4, confirmed that six contacts had completed the 21-day follow-up period, while 56 remained under observation.

The agency reported no newly identified contacts or symptomatic contacts during the preceding 24 hours.

Bundibugyo virus disease is a severe Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus, one of the Orthoebolavirus species.

It is a zoonotic disease, with fruit bats suspected to be the natural reservoir.

Initial human infections are thought to occur through contact with the blood or secretions of infected wildlife, including bats and non-human primates.

The virus subsequently spreads from person to person through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs and other bodily fluids of infected individuals.

It can also spread through contaminated surfaces and materials.

The incubation period ranges from between two days and 21 days, and infected people are not infectious before symptoms appear.

Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat.

These may progress to vomiting, diarrhoea, organ dysfunction and, in some cases, bleeding.

The WHO explained that early symptoms could resemble other illnesses, including malaria, stressing the importance of laboratory testing to confirm the diagnosis.

No vaccines or specific treatments are currently approved for Bundibugyo virus disease.

According to WHO, controlling the outbreak depends on early identification and isolation of cases, medical care, contact tracing, safe burial practices and community engagement.