NBMA BIOSECURITY ADVISORY TO THE PUBLIC: PROTECTING NIGERIA FROM EBOLA AND OTHER BIOLOGICAL RISKS

Recent reports of suspected viral hemorrhagic fevers in Nigeria and neighboring countries are a reminder that biosecurity is a shared responsibility. To keep our nation safe, every stakeholder—including government at all levels, community leaders, and the general public—must play their part. The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding human, animal, and plant health, as well as the environment, by regulating modern biotechnology and putting measures in place to ensure the safe management of emerging biological threat agents.

Role of NBMA in Ensuring a Bio-Secured Nation

NBMA’s role in ensuring biosecurity across Nigeria includes but not limited to:

Ensuring that all necessary measures are in place for prevention, preparedness, and response to biological threat agents and misuse of biotechnology.
Collaborating with ministries, departments, agencies, and partners to enforce biosecurity measures at points of entry, laboratories, farms, and healthcare facilities.
Promoting public awareness, safe research practices, and compliance with international biosecurity standards.

By integrating biosafety with national security, NBMA—together with other relevant stakeholders—ensures that Nigeria is better protected against outbreaks and potential bio-threats.

What States and Local Governments Must Do

State and local authorities play a critical role in achieving national biosecurity. They must:

Support and equip surveillance and rapid response teams.
Ensure containment and treatment centres are functional and ready.
Enforce biosafety and biosecurity regulations in laboratories, abattoirs, markets, and farms.
Invest in public awareness campaigns, including translating NCDC’s and other national safety advisories into local languages at grassroots level to promote early reporting and safe practices.

The Role of Religious and Traditional Rulers

Community leaders are powerful allies in safeguarding public health. They are urged to:

Use their influence to promote trust in health authorities and discourage harmful rumours or misinformation.
Encourage safe burial practices and discourage contact with corpses of suspected infectious disease victims.
Mobilize communities to adopt hygiene practices, report unusual illnesses, and support surveillance efforts.

About Ebola and Other Biosecurity Threats

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is one of the most dangerous infectious diseases, with a fatality rate between 25–90%. Other biosecurity threats in Nigeria include Lassa fever, avian influenza, anthrax, and antimicrobial resistance—all of which require vigilance and preparedness. For more information on Ebola virus and recent control activities in Nigeria, the public is advised to read the recent NCDC Public Health Advisory on Suspected Viral Haemorrhagic Fever Events in Abuja: NCDC Advisory.

What the Public Should Do

Nigerians are strongly advised to:

Report immediately to a hospital if feeling unwell, especially after travel outside the country, and clearly explain travel history to healthcare workers.
Practice proper hand hygiene—wash hands frequently with soap and running water or use alcohol-based sanitizers.
Avoid contact with anyone showing symptoms such as fever, bleeding, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Avoid contact with wild animals such as bats, monkeys, or apes; ensure all animal products are well-cooked before eating.
Report suspected cases immediately to health authorities via NCDC Connect Centre (6232) or NBMA hotline.
Rely only on verified information from NCDC, NBMA, and authorized sources; avoid spreading rumours or misinformation.

Conclusion

Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility. NBMA, in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, will continue to strengthen Nigeria’s defences against biological risks. Success requires the active participation of all Nigerians: state and local governments must provide leadership and resources; traditional and religious leaders must guide communities responsibly; and every individual must practice good hygiene, report symptoms early, and avoid risky practices. Together as a nation, we can ensure that Nigeria remains safe, healthy, and resilient against Ebola and all other biosecurity threats.

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