Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) Director-General Jide Idris announced plans for weekly ₦100,000 payments per person to Ebola contacts in quarantine after some sought help with family and business expenses.
Idris made the announcement at an Oct. 25 briefing, according to reports by The Sun and Punch. The Sun and Premium Times reported that some contacts had raised concerns about household costs and said quarantine kept them from managing their businesses. Idris said the NCDC already paid for accommodation and meals at designated facilities. He described the cash measure as an emergency step that the agency would reassess as the response develops.
Punch reported that Idris also urged state governments to provide funding and supplies for public health efforts in their areas.
The NCDC’s Oct. 24 situation report counted 53 people being monitored. None had developed symptoms or tested positive by the report date. It recorded one confirmed case in the Federal Capital Territory and said a suspected case reported by Rivers State on Oct. 23 had tested negative.
At the briefing, Idris said 44 contacts were connected to the facility where the patient received treatment, with nine more identified, Premium Times reported.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare confirmed the case on Oct. 20 after the patient arrived from Uganda. The NCDC identified the infection as Bundibugyo virus disease. Africa CDC said African health ministers are scheduled to meet virtually on Wednesday, Oct. 28, to discuss coordination and support for the response.
