Sokoto heightens Ebola surveillance despite low-risk status

File photo: Sokoto Governor, Ahmed Aliyu

The Sokoto State Government has intensified disease surveillance and emergency response measures against the possible spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), assuring residents that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) still classifies the state as low-risk.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Faruk Umar Abubakar Wurno, gave the assurance on Tuesday in Sokoto after a stakeholders’ meeting to review the state’s preparedness and strengthen measures to prevent and respond to a possible outbreak.

Wurno said the government had placed epidemiologists and disease surveillance personnel on alert, strengthened emergency response mechanisms and prepared designated health facilities to handle suspected cases if necessary.

“I want to inform you that Sokoto is a low-risk state, as declared by the NCDC. There is no cause for alarm,” the commissioner said.

He, however, stressed the need for continued vigilance, noting that the state’s geographical location and points of entry made effective surveillance essential to detecting and containing any potential threat.

According to him, particular attention is being given to the Illela international border and the state airport, which currently handles domestic flights.

“We have a very good surveillance system, and our epidemiologists are also active. We have put all of them on alert so that, in case of any alert, we are able to switch into action,” he said.

The commissioner explained that the meeting brought together stakeholders involved in disease surveillance, prevention, case management and public health communication to assess existing arrangements and address any gaps in the state’s emergency preparedness.

He added that the government was committed to maintaining a high level of readiness to ensure a swift and coordinated response should a suspected case emerge.

“The level of readiness is intact and ready for any eventuality,” Wurno said.

On isolation and treatment arrangements, the commissioner disclosed that the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in Amanawa had been prepared to accommodate suspected Ebola cases if the need arose.

“Our Infectious Disease Hospital is ready. We have prepared it for isolation where there is need,” he said.

Wurno added that the facility had been provided with personal protective equipment and other essential resources for infection prevention and control.

He said the hospital’s Chief Medical Director attended the stakeholders’ meeting and briefed participants on the facility’s preparedness to support the state’s emergency response.

Meanwhile, the commissioner said the diphtheria situation in the state was improving, with fewer patients requiring admission at designated treatment centres.

He identified the treatment centres as Specialist Hospital Sokoto, with a 45-bed capacity; Amana, with 100 beds; and another facility with five beds.

According to him, fewer than 10 patients were being treated at each centre, bringing the total number of patients on admission across the three facilities to fewer than 20.

“As it is, we have less than 20 patients on admission in all the three centres, and the case management is going very well, excellently,” he said.

The commissioner said the development indicated progress in the management of diphtheria cases, adding that the government would continue to strengthen public health interventions to protect residents against infectious diseases.

He urged residents to remain calm, obtain health information from credible sources and report suspected cases promptly to the appropriate health authorities.

The government reiterated that sustained surveillance, early detection and coordinated emergency response remained critical to preventing the spread of infectious diseases and protecting public health.