The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a health advisory to American citizens living in the country following the Federal Government’s report of a case of Bundibugyo virus disease, a type of Ebola disease.
The mission, in a statement published on its official X account on Wednesday, said Nigerian health authorities were conducting contact tracing after the reported case involving an individual who travelled by air from Uganda.
It urged American citizens and other travellers to familiarise themselves with relevant health precautions and consult the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention for information on Ebola and travel-related health guidance for Nigeria.
The mission also advised anyone who might have been exposed to the virus to seek medical guidance if they developed symptoms consistent with Ebola.
“If at risk for Ebola, alert your healthcare provider if you are experiencing symptoms consistent with Ebola to receive guidance prior to presenting for care,” the advisory stated.
The US Mission further urged travellers to continue taking malaria-prevention medication as prescribed by their doctors, warning that malaria symptoms could resemble those of Ebola and trigger unnecessary health concerns.
“Continue to take malaria prophylaxis as recommended by your doctor. Symptoms of malaria can mimic symptoms of Ebola, leading to preventable health scares,” it added.
The advisory also recommended that travellers monitor their health for 21 days after visiting an area experiencing an Ebola outbreak.
“Monitor your health for 21 days following travel to an area experiencing an Ebola outbreak,” the mission said.
It urged American citizens to consult the US Embassy’s Nigeria country page for general health information and refer to its list of medical providers when medical assistance was required.
The mission also advised travellers to contact their travel insurance providers to understand available medical evacuation arrangements in case they fell ill while outside their home country.
“Check with your travel insurance provider about medical evacuation options should you fall ill while overseas,” the advisory stated.
The advisory comes as Nigerian health authorities continue contact tracing and other public health measures following the reported case.
The Bundibugyo virus is one of the viruses that cause Ebola disease, a severe illness that can spread through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person or someone who has died from the disease.
