The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information as health authorities intensify efforts to contain an imported case of Ebola virus disease.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, gave the assurance while briefing journalists in Abuja, saying the patient was responding positively to treatment, with laboratory results indicating significant clinical improvement.
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“The patient is responding to treatment, and the laboratory results are showing significant improvement,” Pate said, adding that health authorities would remain vigilant until the situation was fully under control.
According to the minister, the patient arrived in Nigeria without symptoms but developed signs of illness several days later. The infection was subsequently confirmed, prompting authorities to activate emergency response measures and begin contact tracing.
Pate said contacts linked to the patient at a hospital, a private clinic and among domestic associates had been identified and categorised according to their level of risk. High-risk contacts had been placed under quarantine, while others were being monitored in line with public health guidelines.
He disclosed that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) had activated its incident management system to coordinate the national response. The Federal Government, he added, was working with state governments, the Federal Capital Territory Administration and international partners to strengthen surveillance, diagnosis, treatment and contact tracing.
The minister said Nigeria had the capacity to diagnose Ebola infection within 24 hours of notification by public health authorities. He also highlighted collaboration with local genomics experts, including Professor Christian Happi of Redeemer’s University, to strengthen research and improve understanding of the virus.
Addressing concerns over political campaigns, conferences and other public gatherings, Pate said the government had not recommended restrictions because the case remained contained, with no evidence of community transmission at the time of the briefing.
“Any decision on restrictions will be guided by scientific evidence and expert advice,” he said, adding that authorities would review the situation as new information emerged.
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The minister urged Nigerians to practise regular handwashing with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitisers, while avoiding unnecessary contact with other people’s body fluids.
He advised anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, weakness, vomiting or diarrhoea to seek prompt medical attention, particularly if they had a relevant travel history or possible exposure to an infected person.
Pate also called on identified contacts to comply with isolation and quarantine instructions, describing the measures as necessary to protect individuals, their families and the wider community.
He said hospitals, including private health facilities, had been directed to strengthen infection prevention and control, prepare isolation beds and ensure health workers had appropriate personal protective equipment.
Surveillance at Nigeria’s points of entry would also be intensified in line with the International Health Regulations, with travellers monitored for symptoms and suspected cases referred promptly for assessment and testing.
The minister cautioned against misinformation and politicisation of the outbreak, stressing that public health required collective responsibility across political, ethnic and religious divides.
“Public health is a collective responsibility, it is not a matter of politics, ethnicity or religion. We must all work together and rely on verified information from the appropriate health authorities,” he said.
He urged journalists, social media users and the public to rely on verified updates from health authorities and avoid circulating rumours or sensational claims that could create unnecessary panic.
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Pate expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to contain the case, citing the country’s previous experience in managing Ebola and the expertise of its health institutions, professionals and research partners.
“Nigeria has dealt with Ebola before, and we have the institutions, expertise and experience required to respond effectively,” he said, expressing confidence that continued public cooperation would support containment efforts.
