RismadarVoice Reporters
October 21, 2026
Public health experts have urged Nigerians to remain calm and adopt appropriate preventive measures following the confirmation of an Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The experts warned that misinformation and unnecessary panic could complicate efforts to contain the disease, stressing the importance of public education, early detection and cooperation with health authorities.
Speaking on Wednesday during the 11th National Conference on Environment and Health, hosted by Osun State University, Osogbo, the President of LivingScience Foundation, Professor Joshua Ojo, said Nigeria possessed the experience and public health resources needed to respond to the outbreak.
Ojo, a professor at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, emphasised that Ebola remained a serious public health threat requiring prompt action rather than fear.
He explained that the virus is transmitted primarily through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person who is symptomatic, or through materials contaminated with infectious fluids.
According to him, adequate public education would help Nigerians understand how the disease spreads and recognise symptoms requiring immediate medical attention.
The professor also called for reforms to strengthen environmental health regulation and improve the operational capacity of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
He advocated a review of the agency’s legal framework, responsibilities and funding to enhance food safety regulation and public health protection.
Ojo further emphasised the importance of environmental sanitation in disease prevention, calling for stronger support for environmental health professionals.
Speaking separately, the South-West Zonal President of the Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria, Dr Isaac Akinwumi, expressed confidence that coordinated action could help contain the outbreak.
Akinwumi recalled Nigeria’s response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak and urged health authorities, environmental health officers and communities to adopt similarly coordinated preventive measures.
He maintained that public awareness, early reporting and cooperation among healthcare professionals would be essential to limiting infections.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has activated emergency response measures following the confirmation of an imported Ebola case in Abuja.
Health authorities are tracing identified contacts, strengthening disease surveillance and coordinating infection prevention measures.
According to the World Health Organisation, Ebola symptoms may appear between two and 21 days after exposure and can include fever, weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Members of the public are advised to avoid direct contact with the bodily fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola, practise appropriate hand hygiene and follow official public health instructions.
Individuals who develop symptoms after possible exposure should contact health authorities promptly rather than visiting healthcare facilities without prior notification.
The NCDC can be reached through its toll-free line, 6232, for reporting suspected cases and obtaining verified information.
