Abuja, 30 April 2015 - The Government of Japan has  extended a USD 620,000 grant to the World Health Organization in March 2015 to support a project for Ebola virus disease (EVD) preparedness and response in 10 high risk states in Nigeria.

In November 2014, the Government of Japan pledged to provide an additional package of USD 100 million with a view to rebuilding the health system of the affected countries and stabilizing the societies of those countries being ravaged by the Ebola disease. 

Outbreak of the deadly EVD  in Nigeria was declared by the Minister of Health on 23rd July 2015 following the confirmation of the EVD case at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital virology laboratory. The outbreak was subsequently declared a national emergency by the Nigerian President.

The EVD outbreak started in Lagos state, the south-western part of the country and subsequently spread to Rivers in the south-south region. A total of 19 confirmed EVD cases (including the index case) and 1 probable case were recorded in Nigeria with 8 deaths while 892 contacts were monitored for 21 days in the two states with full technical support by WHO. Additional areas of WHO support included surveillance (laboratory capacity, contact tracing, Point of Entry), case management, data management, provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at federal and state levels, risk communication, high level advocacy and coordination.

Nigeria was declared Ebola-free on 20th October 2014 upon completion of two cycles of incubation period (42 days) after the discharge of the last confirmed case. However, as the EVD transmission is still on-going in the West African sub-region, Nigeria is at risk of potential re-importation due to high level of travel and trade. The funds allocated by the Government of Japan will certainly strengthen the on-going country effort led by the government of Nigeria to continue preparedness and response to prevent re-importation of EVD and strengthen the overall surveillance to respond to any other potential outbreak of national and international public health concern.

“Although Nigeria was declared Ebola-free in October 2014, Nigeria is still at risk of re-introduction of the virus through its vast land, air and sea borders. Therefore, the Government of Japan has decided to support WHO country office in Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria is free from inter-country transmission of Ebola by intensifying surveillance and enhancing preparedness for Ebola” said Mr. Masaya OTSUKA, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, Embassy of Japan in Nigeria.

_________________________________________

For more information, please contact:

Technical contacts:

Dr Mary Stephen; Tel: +234 816 289 9789; Email:  stephenm [at] who.int  

Media contact:

Ms Charity Warigon; Tel: +234 810 221 0093; Email: warigonc [at] who.int