EBOLA OUTBREAK: NBMA URGES PUBLIC VIGILANCE, REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL RESPONSE

The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Dr Fatima Suleiman-Zuntu, has urged Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant and guided by verified public health information following the confirmation of an imported case of Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Dr Suleiman-Zuntu commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the FCT Health Services Secretariat and their partners for their response efforts. She reaffirmed NBMA’s commitment to supporting the national response through its biosafety and biosecurity expertise, in line with the Agency’s statutory mandate.

“Nigeria’s experience in containing Ebola in 2014 demonstrates the importance of preparedness, coordinated action and public cooperation. We must remain vigilant, rely on scientific evidence and adhere to established safety protocols,” she stated.

The Director-General confirmed that NBMA is ready to make its biosafety experts available to the NCDC and relevant response teams, as required, to complement ongoing containment and infection prevention efforts.

She urged members of the public to follow official advisories, practise good hand hygiene, avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone who is ill, and refrain from handling the bodies of people who may have died from suspected Ebola. Nigerians were also advised not to circulate unverified information that could create unnecessary fear.

Anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with Ebola, particularly following contact with a suspected or confirmed case or travel to an affected area, should promptly seek guidance from public health authorities. Members of the public should follow the instructions of health officials and cooperate fully with contact-tracing efforts.

For verified information and guidance, and reporting of suspected cases, members of the public may contact the NCDC toll-free line on 6232 or contact the Agency on 0808 225 4683.

The NBMA reiterates its commitment to strengthening biosafety and biosecurity practices, promoting evidence-based action and working with relevant national institutions to protect public health and the environment.