The Federal Government has urged 15 states to urgently update their Ebola preparedness and response plans as health authorities intensify efforts to contain the outbreak following the confirmation of an imported case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, disclosed that 21 states had updated their response plans, while the remaining states were yet to complete theirs. He said hospitals nationwide had been directed to prepare isolation beds, strengthen infection prevention measures and ensure adequate protection for frontline health workers.
Pate said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) was coordinating the national response in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and relevant state authorities.
He explained that measures had been activated to prevent further transmission, including contact tracing, surveillance, laboratory testing and the provision of essential medical supplies and personal protective equipment. The government is also working with the Federal Capital Territory authorities to monitor the situation and prepare healthcare facilities for possible additional cases.
The minister urged private hospitals to promptly report suspected infections and work closely with public health authorities, noting that the confirmed patient had initially sought treatment at a private facility. He also called for the training of healthcare workers and strict compliance with infection prevention and control protocols.
Pate disclosed that the government had provided additional funding to the NCDC and engaged genomics expert Professor Christian Happi to support investigations into the virus. He said the outbreak involved the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which differs from the Zaire strain responsible for the 2014–2016 West African outbreak.
The minister urged Nigerians to remain vigilant without panicking, advising anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, headaches and muscle aches, particularly following possible exposure or relevant travel, to isolate themselves and contact public health authorities.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has directed government media agencies to intensify public awareness campaigns on Ebola prevention and containment.
The agencies, including the National Orientation Agency, Nigerian Television Authority, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Voice of Nigeria and News Agency of Nigeria, are expected to work with the Ministry of Health and the NCDC to disseminate verified information in different Nigerian languages.
Idris urged Nigerians to rely on official health information and avoid spreading unverified claims. Members of the public were also advised to report suspected cases through the NCDC’s toll-free, 24-hour emergency line on 6232.
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