Five steps Nigerians should take to avoid catching Ebola virus

Nigeria confirmed its first case of Ebola virus in 2026 on Tuesday, with health minister Al Pate saying that the patient was a passenger who recently arrived in Nigeria on a flight from Uganda.

“A person who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed,” Mr Pate said in a statement on Tuesday.

The minister disclosed that 44 contacts had been traced to the carrier as the Nigerian government began operations to scramble a rapid response and prevent an outbreak. Amid ongoing contact-tracing efforts, Peoples Gazette shares five steps Nigerians can take to prevent contracting Ebola virus.

Avoid travel to Ebola epicentre

Nigerian travellers should avoid travelling to the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Uganda, where the risk of contracting Ebola is currently considered highest. Many countries worldwide, including the United States and Canada, have imposed some level of travel restrictions on citizens of these countries, even with valid visas, as well as on other passengers who have transited through the nations.

Avoid contact with infected patients

The World Health Organisation’s guidelines on Ebola virus stated that close contact with someone suffering from the disease, especially their bodily fluids, is one of the most common ways people can contract Ebola.

The organisation subsequently advised Nigerians and citizens of other countries to distance themselves from Ebola patients as far as possible.

“Reduce the risk of human-to-human transmission arising from direct or close contact with infected people, particularly with their body fluids. Close physical contact with Ebola patients should be avoided.

“Patients should be isolated in a designated treatment centre for early care and to avoid transmission at home,” the organisation said.

Reduce consumption of wildlife

The WHO identified fruit bats and monkeys as potential sources of Ebola infection, advising the public to avoid contact with the animals and refrain from eating their raw or undercooked meat.

“Reduce the risk of wildlife-to-human transmission from contact with infected fruit bats or monkeys/apes and the consumption of their raw meat,” the WHO stated.

Practise good hand hygiene

Simple hand hygiene is the basic way to minimise the risk of contracting various diseases, including Ebola, so Nigerians should wash their hands frequently with soap and running water, particularly after visiting public places or caring for someone who is ill. It is also advisable to use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser when soap and water are unavailable.

Seek early medical treatment

The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says that the symptoms of Ebola virus can include fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting and diarrhoea.

It is advised that if an individual within the community develops symptoms after possible exposure, they should separate themselves from others and contact health authorities for urgent medical attention to reduce exposure and potentially prevent an outbreak.