The Kogi Ministry of Health has urged residents to remain calm but vigilant following reports of an Ebola outbreak in neighbouring Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The ministry gave the advice in a public health advisory on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) prevention issued in Lokoja on Friday.
The advisory, signed by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Adeiza Abdulazeez, urged residents to observe preventive measures strictly and remain alert to symptoms of the disease.
Abdulazeez emphasised the importance of personal hygiene and compliance with public health guidelines to prevent the possible spread of the virus into the state.
He urged residents to practice regular hand hygiene by washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitisers to reduce infection risks.
The commissioner advised residents to avoid direct contact with body fluids of infected persons or individuals suspected of having been exposed to the virus.
He also urged citizens to watch for Ebola symptoms, including sudden fever, severe weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, and seek medical attention promptly.
The commissioner advised anyone with suspected exposure to report immediately to the nearest health facility or contact relevant health authorities for guidance and necessary medical assessment.
He further advised individuals exhibiting symptoms to avoid close contact with others and seek prompt medical attention to reduce the risk of possible transmission.
Abdulazeez called on residents to cooperate with public health officials conducting surveillance, case investigations and contact-tracing activities to strengthen containment efforts and prevent potential spread.
He cautioned residents against spreading unverified information or stigmatising suspected cases, urging them to rely on credible sources and official government channels for accurate updates.
The commissioner assured residents that the state government, in collaboration with relevant health stakeholders, had established necessary surveillance measures to ensure early detection and prompt response to suspected cases.
