Ebola: Avoid handshakes, hugs for now, Medical Academy warns

The Academy of Medical Sciences of Nigeria has expressed concern over a newly confirmed case of Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The case, involving a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria from Uganda, was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

In a swift reaction, the academy endorsed the response strategies outlined by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate.

The body commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the FCT Health Services Secretariat and international partners for their prompt contact tracing, patient isolation and intensified surveillance.

The concerns were raised in a statement jointly signed by the academy’s President, Emeritus Prof. Osato Giwa-Osagie; Foundation President, Prof. Oladapo Ashiru; and Chairman of the Rapid Response Committee, Prof. Boaz Adegboro.

To prevent a wider outbreak, the academy recommended the immediate activation of high-alert protocols nationwide, drawing on Nigeria’s successful containment strategies during the 2014 Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The body urged the government to implement enhanced screening measures at all airports, seaports and land borders, focusing on travellers arriving from affected countries.

It also recommended the activation of isolation and treatment facilities across all states, as well as strict infection prevention and control measures in public and private healthcare facilities, particularly for frontline health workers.

The statement emphasised that healthcare professionals must maintain a high index of suspicion, immediately isolate suspected cases and report them to public health authorities.

To prevent public anxiety, the academy clarified that Ebola is not an airborne disease.

It spreads through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected or deceased person, or with materials contaminated by those fluids. Crucially, an infected person cannot transmit Ebola before symptoms develop.

As a basic precaution, the academy advised Nigerians to avoid handshakes, hugging and other unnecessary physical contact, recommending non-contact greetings instead.

The public was urged to observe the following safety measures: wash hands regularly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitisers; avoid contact with the bodily fluids of anyone who is ill; and refrain from touching the bodies of people suspected to have died from the virus.

Nigerians were also advised to monitor for symptoms, including fever, severe weakness, headaches, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Anyone who suspects they have been exposed to the virus or develops symptoms should contact public health authorities before physically visiting a healthcare facility.

The academy further urged the public to cooperate fully with official contact-tracing teams and rely only on verified health updates to prevent stigma and the spread of rumours.

It reaffirmed its readiness to support the Federal Government and other stakeholders with expert clinical advice throughout the response, while urging members of the public to report suspected cases to the NCDC through its 24-hour toll-free number, 6232.