The President of the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria, Prof. Oladapo Ashiru, has urged Nigerians to avoid kisses, handshakes, hugs and other unnecessary physical contact following the confirmation of an Ebola case in Abuja.
Ashiru gave the warning on Wednesday during an interview on Arise Television, stressing that Ebola is not transmitted through the air but spreads primarily through direct contact with the blood and other body fluids of an infected person, particularly when the person is showing symptoms.
“Ebola is not airborne. But avoid kisses, hugs and handshakes,” he said.
He advised Nigerians to maintain reasonable physical distance from others and adhere strictly to hygiene and infection-prevention measures to reduce the risk of transmission.
Ashiru also called for the immediate activation of high-alert protocols nationwide, including enhanced health screening at airports, seaports and land borders.
He urged healthcare facilities to strengthen infection-control measures and called on health workers to maintain a high index of suspicion, with suspected cases promptly identified, isolated and tested.
The warning followed the Federal Government’s confirmation on Tuesday of an imported Ebola case involving a woman who arrived in Nigeria from Uganda and was admitted to a private hospital in the Federal Capital Territory.
The government has since commenced contact tracing and other emergency response measures to contain the spread of the virus.
