Nigeria on Alert as Ebola Cases Reported in Neighbouring Countries

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

Nigeria on Alert as Ebola Cases Reported in Neighbouring Countries

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has urged Nigerians to exercise caution following the resurgence of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in nearby countries.

In a statement on Tuesday, the agency reaffirmed its readiness to protect public health, the environment, and national food security. It stressed its mandate to regulate biotechnology and strengthen systems for tackling emerging biological threats.

NBMA appealed to state and local governments to reinforce surveillance and rapid response teams, provide resources for functional treatment and isolation centres, and ensure biosafety regulations are enforced in laboratories, abattoirs, markets, and farms.

It further advised that safety messages from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other agencies should be translated into local languages to enhance grassroots awareness.

“Traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other community influencers have a vital role in countering misinformation, encouraging trust in health authorities, and promoting safe practices such as proper hygiene and safe burial procedures,” the agency said.

Highlighting the severity of the disease, NBMA described Ebola as one of the world’s deadliest viral infections, with a fatality rate ranging from 25 to 90 percent. It also listed lassa fever, avian influenza, anthrax, and antimicrobial resistance as continuing biosecurity threats in Nigeria.

To reduce risk, Nigerians were advised to:

Seek immediate medical attention if feeling unwell, particularly after travelling outside the country, and disclose travel history to health workers

Wash hands regularly with soap and water or use alcohol-based sanitisers

Avoid direct contact with anyone showing symptoms such as fever, bleeding, vomiting, or diarrhoea

Avoid handling or consuming wild animals such as bats, monkeys, or apes.

Ensure meat and animal products are thoroughly cooked before eating.

The agency directed citizens to report suspected cases through the NCDC Connect Centre (6232) or the NBMA hotline, and cautioned against spreading unverified information.

NBMA also reassured that it is working with relevant stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s biosecurity response. It urged governments at all levels, alongside religious and traditional leaders, to provide strong guidance, while citizens must practise good hygiene, report symptoms early, and avoid unsafe practices.

“Together, as a nation, we can protect our people and ensure resilience against Ebola and other public health threats,” the statement concluded.

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Chioma Ndukwu

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