Enugu State is intensifying measures to prevent and prepare for a possible Ebola virus threat in the South-East, with the state government working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The Commissioner for Health, George Ugwu, disclosed this on Thursday at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, following a high-level meeting involving NCDC Director-General Jide Idris, officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and representatives of the Enugu State Ministry of Health.
Ugwu, who also serves on the Presidential Task Force Committee on Ebola Prevention and Preparedness, said the state government, under Governor Peter Mbah, had continued to support efforts aimed at strengthening disease surveillance and emergency preparedness.
He explained that the South-East was reviewing and improving its health-security measures, particularly at the Enugu international airport, which plays an important role in the region's disease-control strategy.
According to the commissioner, authorities want the level of preparedness at Akanu Ibiam International Airport to match or exceed standards already in place at major airports in Abuja and Lagos.
“We are working at the levels of the Presidential Task Force Committee, the zone and Enugu State to ensure that our readiness and preparedness measures are improved,” Ugwu said.
He added that training exercises and simulations had already been carried out for Port Health personnel, state health officials, health partners and other relevant stakeholders.
Ugwu said another round of training and simulation exercises was being planned for the airport, stressing that preparedness activities would continue regularly to ensure personnel remain familiar with the required protocols.
“We want all our team members and stakeholders to remain on top of their responsibilities, maintain protocols and act with caution and diligence,” he said.
Beyond airport preparedness, the state is also expanding public education and awareness campaigns. Ugwu said information materials on Ebola prevention would be produced and distributed both physically and through electronic channels to improve awareness among residents.
The NCDC has identified Enugu as a state at high risk of Ebola importation because of the presence of Akanu Ibiam International Airport.
The renewed preparedness efforts come amid reports of Ebola activity in parts of Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, with the World Health Organisation and international partners supporting response efforts.
Authorities say the continued training, surveillance, public education and coordination among federal and state agencies are intended to strengthen Enugu's ability to detect and respond quickly to any potential Ebola threat.