The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kwara Chapter, has urged residents to adopt preventive measures following the confirmation of Nigeria’s first case of Ebola virus disease.
The Chairman of NMA in Kwara, Dr Suleiman Rotimi, gave the advice in Ilorin, during activities marking the 2026 Physicians’ Week.
Recall Nigeria confirmed its first case of Ebola since the outbreak in East Africa, involving a woman who had travelled to Uganda.
Ebola is a rare, severe and often fatal disease in humans and non-human primates caused by viruses belonging to the genus Orthoebolavirus.
Rotimi said relevant agencies had swung into action to contain the disease and prevent its spread across the country.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Kwara Ministry of Health and the state epidemiology team for initiating outbreak response activities.
The NMA chairman advised residents to adopt preventive measures similar to those observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Most of the things that we did during COVID, we have to start doing them too. Washing of hands, use of face masks, social and physical distances.
“We should also have a high index of suspicion,” he advised.
Rotimi called on agencies at points of entry to strengthen surveillance, particularly for travellers arriving from countries with confirmed Ebola cases.
He said that Kwara, being a border state, required extra vigilance and urged relevant agencies to strengthen screening and other preventive measures for travellers from affected areas.
The NMA chairman expressed confidence in the state’s capacity to contain the disease, citing its performance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Kwara usually does well and during COVID-19, we were one of the best. So I have no doubt that Kwara will be able to curtail this virus from getting into the state,” he said.
