Ebola Outbreak: FG Urges 15 States to Step Up Emergency Preparations

Ebola Outbreak: FG Urges 15 States to Step Up Emergency Preparations

The Federal Government has urged 15 states to accelerate Ebola preparedness, warning that incomplete emergency response plans could weaken efforts to prevent the disease from spreading.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, gave the directive following confirmation of an imported Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory.

Pate said 21 states had updated their Ebola response plans, while the remaining 15 needed to strengthen their preparations and establish effective emergency response mechanisms.

He directed hospitals nationwide to prepare isolation beds, strengthen infection prevention measures and ensure healthcare workers receive adequate training to manage suspected Ebola cases safely.

The minister stressed that protecting medical personnel was essential because they faced increased exposure risks when treating patients who might be infected with the virus.

He said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) was coordinating Nigeria’s response, with support from the World Health Organisation and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pate urged Nigerians to remain vigilant without panicking, stressing that early detection, effective surveillance and prompt reporting were essential to containing the infection.

He explained that hospitals must establish adequate isolation facilities and follow strict infection prevention and control procedures to reduce transmission risks within healthcare settings.

The minister also urged private hospitals to strengthen surveillance and promptly report suspected cases, warning against treating potentially infected patients without notifying public health authorities.

He noted that private healthcare providers played an important role because the confirmed patient had reportedly sought treatment at a private facility before the infection was identified.

Pate urged medical practitioners to watch for symptoms that could indicate Ebola, particularly among patients with relevant travel histories or possible exposure to the virus.

He said suspected cases must be reported promptly to enable appropriate testing, isolation and contact tracing, thereby reducing the risk of further infections.

The Federal Government has activated its incident management system, with the NCDC coordinating operational activities alongside FCT authorities and other relevant agencies.

Pate said the government was engaging state governments to ensure preparedness measures extended beyond Abuja and that healthcare facilities could respond effectively to suspected infections.

He disclosed that state commissioners of health would meet on Friday to review preparations, while commissioners of information would help coordinate public communication.

The minister said additional funding had been provided to the NCDC to strengthen surveillance, investigations and other activities required to contain the outbreak.

The government had also invited genomics expert Prof. Christian Happi of Redeemer’s University, Ede, to support investigations into the virus and strengthen scientific understanding.

Pate said genomic sequencing would help researchers understand the virus and provide scientific evidence to guide Nigeria’s response to the outbreak.

He emphasised that the immediate priority was preventing the infection from spreading beyond the confirmed case and developing into community transmission.

The minister advised people experiencing fever, headaches and muscle aches, particularly those with possible exposure, to contact public health authorities promptly for appropriate guidance.

He urged anyone who suspected infection to limit contact with others and follow instructions from health officials rather than attempt to manage the situation alone.

Pate maintained that Nigeria had the public health institutions and experience required to respond effectively, recalling the country’s management of the 2014 Ebola outbreak.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has directed agencies under his ministry to intensify public education on Ebola prevention.

The directive covers the National Orientation Agency, Nigerian Television Authority, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Voice of Nigeria and News Agency of Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, Idris said accurate information was essential to containing the disease and preventing public panic.

He directed the agencies to work with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the NCDC to ensure that public messages remained accurate and evidence-based.

The minister also tasked the National Orientation Agency with using its nationwide network to educate communities in collaboration with traditional rulers, religious leaders and community organisations.

The campaign will involve broadcast media organisations, public enlightenment messages and educational materials produced in Nigerian languages to improve understanding of Ebola prevention.

Idris urged Nigerians to remain calm, follow official health advisories and avoid circulating unverified information about the outbreak on social media.

He also advised members of the public to report suspected cases through the NCDC’s 24-hour toll-free emergency line, 6232.