FCTA dismisses Ebola rumours, confirms Abuja Patient negative

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mandate Secretary for Health and Human Services, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, has dismissed rumours of an Ebola outbreak in Abuja, confirming that a suspected patient has tested negative for both Ebola Virus Disease and Marburg Virus.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Dr Fasawe assured residents that there is no case of Ebola in the FCT. She credited the achievement to the “efficient surveillance system” established under the leadership of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

“This meeting is a sort of verification. You have asked what is going on, is Ebola in the FCT? And on behalf of the Minister, I say today that Ebola is not in FCT. Confirmed, verified, and said with authority,” she stated.

Her remarks followed an earlier advisory by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), which revealed that two suspected cases of viral hemorrhagic fever in Abuja tested negative for Ebola and Marburg. The agency noted that further tests are ongoing for other fevers, including Lassa and dengue.

Dr Fasawe explained that the suspected case, referred to as “patient X,” arrived in Nigeria from Rwanda and reported to Nisa Premier Hospital immediately after feeling unwell. She commended the patient for seeking medical attention early and the hospital for following infection-control protocols.

“We had a possible one case that we were determined would not spread further than that one case. We had gone as far as to get the manifest on that airline, everybody she had had contact with before coming into this place, and I’m happy to say, we are free, there is no Ebola. Patient is responding to treatment for her fever,” she said.

The Mandate Secretary urged residents to improve their health-seeking behaviour, stressing that not all fevers should be assumed to be malaria. She advised that anyone experiencing unusual symptoms, especially fever or bleeding, should promptly visit the nearest health centre for medical attention.