NEMA urges calm, vigilance as Ebola case confirmed in FCT

The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar, has urged Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant following the confirmation of an Ebola Virus Disease case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), assuring them that relevant public health authorities are actively managing the situation.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mrs Umar affirmed that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), working with the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities, were leading the national response to the reported case.

She disclosed that the confirmed patient had been isolated and was receiving medical care, while contact tracing and surveillance activities were ongoing to prevent further transmission of the potentially fatal disease.

“Following the confirmation of a case of Ebola Virus Disease in the Federal Capital Territory, I wish to reassure Nigerians that the appropriate public health authorities are fully engaged,” she said.

The NEMA chief explained that the agency recognised the leadership of the health authorities in managing the situation, adding that it remained prepared to provide the necessary coordination and emergency support within the national emergency management framework.

“NEMA recognises and supports the leadership of these health authorities. Our role, within the national emergency management architecture, is to remain ready to provide appropriate coordination and emergency support as may be required,” Umar stated.

She stressed that the immediate priority was to prevent public panic while ensuring that Nigerians remained informed about the disease and observed recommended safety precautions.

“At this time, our most important message to Nigerians is: remain calm, remain vigilant and follow official health advice. There is no need for panic,” the NEMA chief said.

Explaining how the disease spreads, Mrs Umar said Ebola was transmitted mainly through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person who was ill, or through contaminated materials. She urged Nigerians to wash their hands regularly with soap and running water or use alcohol-based hand sanitisers.

The NEMA Director-General also advised citizens to avoid direct contact with the blood and bodily fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola, as well as unsafe contact with wild animals. She warned against handling dead wild animals.

She further cautioned Nigerians against touching or preparing the bodies of people suspected of having died from the disease, stressing that such burials should be handled by trained health authorities. She also advised anyone experiencing fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting or diarrhoea following possible exposure to seek medical advice immediately.

Mrs Umar appealed to Nigerians to cooperate with public health officials conducting contact tracing and to avoid spreading rumours or misinformation or stigmatising suspected cases.

She urged anyone contacted by health authorities to provide accurate information and comply with their instructions, adding that the NCDC toll-free number, 6232, was available for official advice and reporting suspected cases.

Recalling Nigeria’s successful containment of Ebola in 2014, the NEMA chief said the country’s previous experience demonstrated that early detection, responsible individual behaviour, effective contact tracing and coordinated institutional action could break the chain of transmission.

She assured Nigerians that NEMA would continue to support the national response while strengthening public awareness and emergency preparedness, urging citizens to stay informed, remain calm and protect themselves and others.