SOKOTO — In a proactive move to safeguard public health, the Sokoto State Government has intensified disease surveillance and emergency preparedness measures against the potential spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
The heightened alert comes despite the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) maintaining its classification of the state as low-risk.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar Wurno, disclosed the development on Tuesday following a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Sokoto. The session brought together key players in disease surveillance, prevention, case management, and public health communication to evaluate existing protocols and preemptively address any vulnerabilities.
Fortifying Surveillance at Gateways
Addressing newsmen after the review, Dr. Wurno emphasized that while the state remains safe, its geographical positioning and porous international boundaries demand constant vigilance.
”I want to inform you that Sokoto is a low-risk state, as declared by the NCDC. There is no cause for alarm,” Dr. Wurno assured residents. “However, we have a very good surveillance system, and our epidemiologists are also active. We have put all of them on alert so that, in case of any alert, we are able to switch into action.”
Particular strategic focus is being directed toward high-traffic entry points, most notably the Illela international border corridor and the state airport, which currently manages domestic flight operations. Surveillance personnel have been ordered to monitor arrivals closely and report anomalies immediately.
Isolation and Treatment Readiness
As part of the comprehensive preparedness framework, the state has designated and equipped specialized medical infrastructure to manage emergencies swiftly.
Dr. Wurno confirmed that the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in Amanawa has been fully prepared to serve as an isolation and treatment center should any suspected cases emerge. The facility has been stocked with vital resources, including personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection prevention and control materials, with the hospital’s Chief Medical Director confirming total operational readiness during the stakeholders’ meeting.
Diphtheria Situation Continues to Improve
Shifting focus to other public health interventions, the commissioner shared encouraging updates regarding the management of diphtheria across the state.
According to Dr. Wurno, patient admissions have dropped significantly, with fewer than 20 patients currently receiving treatment across the three designated centres: the Specialist Hospital Sokoto (45-bed capacity), the Amana facility (100 beds), and a smaller five-bed unit. Each center currently manages fewer than 10 active cases, reflecting efficient clinical case management and steady progress.
Call for Calm and Public Cooperation
The Sokoto State Government has reiterated its commitment to maintaining a robust public health defense framework, stressing that sustained surveillance, early detection, and inter-agency coordination are vital to shielding residents from infectious outbreaks.
Citizens have been strongly advised to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified panic, rely exclusively on official channels for health bulletins, and promptly report any suspected cases to nearby health authorities.
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