BREAKING: New suspected Ebola cases discovered in Nothern Nigeria
Ojomo Olusegun Adebambo
Cynthia Goldsmith
This colorized transmission electron micrograph (TEM) revealed some of the ultrastructural morphology displayed by an Ebola virus virion. See PHIL 1181 for a black and white version of this image.
What is Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF)?Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF) is a severe, often-fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees) that has appeared sporadically since its initial recognition in 1976.The disease is caused by infection with Ebola virus, named after a river in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) in Africa, where it was first recognized. The virus is one of two members of a family of RNA viruses called the Filoviridae. There are four identified subtypes of Ebola virus. Three of the four have caused disease in humans: Ebola-Zaire, Ebola-Sudan, and Ebola-Ivory Coast. The fourth, Ebola-Reston, has caused disease in nonhuman primates, but not in humans.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has declared new suspected Ebola cases in the country.
TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports that the NCDC made this disclosure on Saturday, while advising the public to maintain good hand hygiene and follow guidance from public health authorities.
“Two suspected cases of Ebola disease have been identified in Nigeria’s North-East region.
“Both individuals have been isolated, contact identification and listing is ongoing, and laboratory testing is being conducted.
“Being classified as suspected cases does not mean they are confirmed Ebola cases; confirmation is subject to laboratory results.
“The public is advised to maintain good hand hygiene, practise enhanced sanitation and follow guidance from public health authorities,” the NCDC disclosed.
According to the agency, further updates will be provided as verified information becomes available on the new suspected cases.
