Hotels and other public venues in Abuja have stepped up entry screening and hygiene measures amid heightened concerns over Ebola virus disease, as the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) prepares to host its 32nd summit in the Federal Capital Territory.
A visit by BusinessDay to some shopping centres and hotels in Abuja on Sunday showed that precautionary measures, including the use of face masks, hand sanitisers and temperature-checking equipment, were being deployed at some public facilities.
At Abuja Continental Hotel, attendants were observed wearing face masks and using hand sanitisers, while individuals entering event halls were subjected to checks.
The measures come as the NESG’s 32nd meeting is scheduled to begin on Monday, with a large number of participants expected to attend the summit.
The heightened vigilance also follows the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s (NCDC) disclosure that it had identified two additional suspected Ebola cases and 53 primary contacts linked to the outbreak response.
Jide Idris, director-general of the NCDC, disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, saying public health authorities had established facilities for isolating and quarantining suspected cases where necessary.
‘We have established two additional suspected cases and 53 primary contact links. They are primary contacts. We have an isolation centre and a quarantine centre,’ Idris said.
He said about 12 public and private laboratories were available to test for Ebola, adding that the agency had strengthened its laboratory capacity to support prompt investigation and testing of suspected cases.
Idris said the NCDC was maintaining heightened surveillance and strengthening laboratory capacity to prevent further spread of the disease.
He also urged public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to strengthen screening, triage and infection prevention measures, while ensuring that healthcare workers had adequate personal protective equipment.
According to the agency, public health teams were identifying and monitoring people who might have been exposed to the confirmed case for 21 days after their last possible exposure.
Idris urged Nigerians contacted by public health officials to cooperate with contact-tracing teams and provide accurate information about their movements, contacts and symptoms.
The developments have raised questions about the preparedness of hotels, conference centres and other venues expected to receive large numbers of people, particularly as Abuja hosts major business and public events.
However, the Federal Government has also said there is no immediate need to cancel conferences, public gatherings, campaigns or other large events following the confirmation of an Ebola case in the FCT.
Muhammad Pate, coordinating minister of health and social welfare, gave the assurance at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, saying the confirmed patient was reportedly showing signs of improvement.
‘At this moment, there is no indication that requires us to alter the course of large gatherings that have been planned,’ Pate said.
He added that the government would review its position if the situation changed, based on scientific evidence and advice from public health experts.
‘But if the situation changes, we’ll make a determination; we’ll consult broadly with the right experts and make that determination,’ he said.
The government’s position leaves public event organisers and venue operators responsible for maintaining appropriate precautions while health authorities continue surveillance and contact tracing.
For hotels, conference centres and other public facilities, measures such as screening, access control, hand hygiene and the availability of protective equipment can form part of efforts to reduce infection risks. Their effectiveness, however, depends on consistent implementation and adherence to public health guidance.
The NCDC has urged healthcare facilities to remain vigilant and members of the public to cooperate with health officials, while the government says any decision to restrict gatherings will depend on how the outbreak evolves.