Expert Warns of Delayed Diagnosis and Resource Shortages in Nigeria’s Ebola Response

Dr. Alero Roberts, a professor at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, has raised concerns about Nigeria’s public health response to Ebola. She stated that delayed diagnosis and a lack of essential medical resources are significant challenges, more so than the virus itself.

During an interview on Channel Television, Dr. Roberts explained that the behavior of the Ebola virus remains consistent and predictable. The real issues, she said, stem from systemic problems and public hesitation, which can worsen patient outcomes before they receive medical help.

Dr. Roberts emphasized that no country currently has the resources to effectively manage a large Ebola outbreak. She pointed out that once a diagnosis is confirmed, managing the disease becomes a nursing care issue, and there are not enough nurses available to handle a major outbreak.

She noted that the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo serves as a warning, highlighting the need for strong prevention measures. Dr. Roberts also mentioned the importance of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) as a primary defense against the virus.

Regarding the recent case in Nigeria, the Federal Government reported that a woman in Abuja tested positive for the virus after returning from Uganda. This marks the first confirmed case in Nigeria in 12 years. The woman had contact with 44 people, all of whom are being monitored for symptoms.

While the number of contacts is concerning, Dr. Roberts reassured the public that those without symptoms are not contagious. She explained that Ebola is spread through direct contact with the bodily fluids of symptomatic patients, unlike airborne diseases such as COVID-19.