The Federal Government has urged 15 states to urgently strengthen their preparedness and response plans for Ebola Virus Disease following the confirmation of an imported case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, made the call while briefing the National Economic Council (NEC) on the country’s response to the reported case.
Pate disclosed that 21 states had updated their Ebola response plans, while the remaining 15 were yet to complete the necessary preparations. He urged the affected states to accelerate efforts to establish effective mechanisms for detecting and responding to potential infections.
According to the minister, the government is working to ensure that states have the necessary arrangements to respond promptly to suspected cases, strengthen disease surveillance and prevent further transmission.
He identified coordination among government agencies, screening at points of entry, laboratory testing capacity, the availability of essential medical supplies and personal protective equipment, as well as effective public communication, as critical components of the national response.
Pate also disclosed that hospitals nationwide had been directed to prepare isolation beds and strengthen infection prevention and control measures to protect patients and healthcare workers.
He stressed that frontline medical personnel must be adequately trained and equipped to handle suspected cases safely, warning that healthcare facilities needed to remain vigilant as investigations and contact-tracing activities continued.
The minister further called on private hospitals to promptly report suspected Ebola cases to public health authorities rather than manage them without notifying the appropriate agencies. He noted that private healthcare providers were important to the response because the confirmed patient had sought treatment at a private medical facility.
The Federal Government is coordinating its response through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), working alongside the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and other relevant institutions.
Pate said additional resources had been made available to strengthen the response, while experts were being engaged to support investigations and genomic sequencing to improve understanding of the virus.
The confirmed case in Abuja prompted renewed attention to Nigeria’s capacity to contain the disease. Health authorities have activated response mechanisms, including contact tracing, surveillance and isolation arrangements, to reduce the risk of further transmission.
The minister urged Nigerians to remain calm while observing public health guidance. He advised anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, headache and muscle aches, particularly following possible exposure or travel to an affected area, to seek medical advice promptly and notify public health authorities.
He also warned against spreading misinformation, stressing that the public should rely on verified updates from trusted health agencies.
Separately, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, directed government media agencies to intensify public education on Ebola prevention and containment. The agencies include the National Orientation Agency, Nigerian Television Authority, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Voice of Nigeria and News Agency of Nigeria.
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