The Kano State Centre for Disease Control has conducted a simulation exercise for health workers to test the state’s preparedness and response to a possible Ebola outbreak.
The KNCDC Director-General, Prof. Muhammad Abbas, disclosed this while addressing journalists on Sunday.
“We have conducted what is known as a simulation exercise, which is a practical rehearsal of how we would respond if such an incident occurred.
“We simulated the process from the airport or the state’s border, demonstrating how a patient would be transported all the way to Yar Gaya Isolation Centre.
“Sometimes, when such incidents occur, personnel who are unfamiliar with the procedures may become confused. That is why we conduct these training exercises regularly,” Abbas said.
He said that after receiving information from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the Kano centre mobilised and visited relevant facilities and locations.
“On the 20th of this month, after receiving information from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, we mobilised and visited facilities and locations relevant to this matter.
“As part of the preventive measures, we advise people to wash their hands frequently, just as we did during the COVID-19 pandemic. People should wash their hands regularly with soap and running water, rather than using water stored in a bucket, cup or basin.
“If someone washes their hands in a container of water, and the disease-causing germs are present, they may remain in the water and infect another person who uses it. That is why we recommend washing hands under running water.
“Where running water is unavailable, people should use hand sanitiser, as it contains ingredients that help kill germs,” he said.
He noted that the Kano State Government, under the leadership of Governor Abba Yusuf, was not taking the matter lightly.
“With the approval of His Excellency, the Governor, Kano State is prepared. We are praying and hoping that Allah will not allow this disease to spread widely, and we also pray that He grants the infected woman good health,” he said.
He added that if, by divine decree, a case of the disease was detected in Kano State, the authorities were prepared to manage it, while praying that Allah would grant them relief.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Labaran Yusuf, assured residents that the state government had strengthened surveillance at key entry points as part of measures to prevent the possible entry and spread of the disease.
“Kano State Government has strengthened surveillance at key entry points into the state, including the international airport, bus stations, major highways and borders, as part of measures to detect and prevent the possible entry and spread of Ebola.
“The state had trained health personnel to respond to suspected cases and other public health emergencies, rather than waiting for an outbreak before putting measures in place.
“We have already trained personnel on this. We have people who know what to do whenever there is a suspected case,” Yusuf said.
The commissioner said the Kano State Centre for Disease Control had facilities and systems that could be activated to manage suspected cases in the event of an outbreak.
“We have the KNCDC and facilities for managing such cases, even though we pray and hope that we will not have any victims,” he said.
Yusuf also called on residents to remain vigilant, particularly in crowded places and areas with a high movement of travellers and visitors.
“People should be vigilant and be careful in crowded places, particularly where there are people coming from different places,” the commissioner said.
The commissioner assured residents that the state government would continue monitoring public health threats and strengthening its preparedness to protect them against infectious diseases.
“We are prepared, and we will continue to remain vigilant to protect the people of Kano,” he added.