NIGERIA: NCDC Approves N100,000 Weekly Stipend For Ebola Contacts

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has approved a weekly stipend of N100,000 per person for individuals placed in isolation or quarantine as part of efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in the Federal Capital Territory.

The NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this during a press briefing on Sunday, explaining that the financial support was introduced after some contacts raised concerns about the cost of feeding, accommodation and maintaining their families while under public health monitoring.

According to Idris, the agency is providing accommodation and feeding for affected individuals, alongside the weekly stipend to ease their financial burden and encourage compliance with public health measures.

“We are providing N100,000 per person per week just to maintain their comfort and feeding, because they were complaining,” he said.

Idris described the intervention as an emergency measure that was not initially planned, adding that the arrangement would be reviewed as the outbreak response progressed.

He also called on state governments to make adequate financial and logistical provisions to support contact tracing, isolation and other emergency response activities, stressing that such responsibilities should not be left to the FCT alone.

The development comes as health authorities intensify efforts to prevent further transmission following the confirmation of an imported Ebola case in Abuja on October 20.

Idris said Nigeria had recorded one confirmed case as of the briefing, with 53 primary contacts identified for monitoring. They include healthcare workers, household members, domestic staff and personnel involved in collecting samples from the patient.

He explained that the contacts were being categorised according to their level of exposure and monitored by public health teams throughout the 21-day incubation period following their last possible exposure.

The NCDC boss added that one contact who reported feeling unwell had tested negative, while surveillance and follow-up activities continued.

He said the agency was also strengthening infection prevention and control measures in healthcare facilities through personnel training and the provision of protective equipment and laboratory supplies.

The confirmed case involves a woman who travelled to Nigeria from Uganda and tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. She reportedly developed symptoms on October 7, sought medical attention in Abuja on October 11 and was confirmed positive on October 20.

The World Health Organisation has classified the case as an imported infection, with investigations ongoing to establish the likely source of exposure.

Idris said Nigeria was drawing on lessons from its successful containment of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, which involved case identification, contact tracing, isolation and coordinated public health action.

He urged Nigerians to rely on verified information, avoid spreading rumours and cooperate with public health officials carrying out contact tracing and monitoring.