The Cross River State Government has activated a series of emergency preparedness and response measures to guard against the possible outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the state following renewed alerts from national and international health authorities.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, disclosed the development while briefing journalists on the state's level of preparedness after Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda were declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). According to him, the Federal Ministry of Health has directed all states to strengthen surveillance and emergency response systems to prevent the disease from entering Nigeria.
Dr. Ayuk said the state, through its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC), has activated its Emergency Operations Centre in alert mode to ensure rapid detection, reporting and response to any suspected Ebola case. He noted that health authorities are closely monitoring travellers arriving from affected countries, unexplained illnesses and deaths, as well as symptoms commonly associated with the disease.
The commissioner explained that surveillance activities and active case searches have been intensified across all 18 local government areas, particularly in border communities. He added that Cross River has strengthened collaboration with neighbouring Cameroon and interstate border authorities to facilitate information sharing and coordinated response efforts.
As part of the preparedness strategy, healthcare workers, surveillance officers and port health officials are being sensitised on Ebola case definitions, reporting procedures, referral systems and isolation protocols. The state has also convened a multi-sectoral emergency meeting involving stakeholders from health, environmental services, security agencies and animal health sectors under a One Health Approach.
Authorities have commenced screening and follow-up of travellers at airports, land borders and other entry points, while infection prevention and control measures are being reinforced in health facilities through improved hygiene practices, use of personal protective equipment and strict isolation procedures. Public awareness campaigns are also being intensified across communities, markets, religious centres and social media platforms to educate residents on prevention and early reporting.
The state's action comes amid heightened preparedness efforts across Africa following the ongoing Ebola outbreak, which has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to launch a continent-wide response and preparedness plan. The initiative focuses on surveillance, border screening, laboratory testing and rapid response measures in at-risk countries.
While assuring residents that no Ebola case has been recorded in Cross River State, Dr. Ayuk urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspected symptoms to the nearest health facility. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to safeguarding public health through proactive surveillance, early detection and swift response mechanisms.
