Ebola: Don’t Panic, Adhere To Health Guidelines — Reps Tell Nigerians

The House of Representatives Committee on Infectious Diseases has urged Nigerians not to panic over reports of a suspected Ebola threat but to remain calm and strictly adhere to preventive guidelines issued by health authorities.

The Committee’s Chairman, Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, made the call when he led members of the panel to brief parliamentary reporters in Abuja on Wednesday.

Ogah stressed the need for public vigilance, early detection and strict compliance with health advisories to prevent the possible spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

The committee’s appeal follows a report of a confirmed Ebola case involving a woman who arrived in Abuja from Uganda on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, with health authorities reportedly tracing 44 contacts for isolation and further testing.

The lawmakers emphasised that Nigerians should rely on verified information from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), rather than panic or unverified reports.

They also called on relevant health agencies at the federal and state levels to strengthen surveillance, screening at points of entry, laboratory testing, contact tracing and emergency response measures to prevent further transmission.

The committee expressed concern that delays in identifying suspected cases, isolating confirmed infections and tracing contacts could increase the risk of transmission and place additional pressure on the country’s healthcare system.

It further identified public awareness, adequate infection prevention and control supplies, healthcare workers’ preparedness and sufficient emergency response funding as critical to containing any potential outbreak.

The lawmakers urged the Federal Government to immediately mobilise relevant public and private health institutions to intensify preparedness and response efforts.

They also called for the urgent release of outstanding appropriated funds to relevant health agencies to enable them to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

The committee further urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the NCDC to assess Nigeria’s preparedness and response capacity in line with current epidemiological evidence and public health guidance.

It pledged to engage relevant ministries, departments, agencies and public health institutions to obtain updates on the country’s Ebola situation and report back to the House for further legislative action.

The committee also acknowledged the importance of collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other international and regional public health institutions to ensure that Nigeria’s response measures are guided by scientific evidence and international health regulations.

The House had earlier adopted a motion of urgent public importance moved by the Committee’s Chairman, which mandated the Federal Government to immediately mobilise all relevant private, state, and federal health agencies to be on high alert to contain the outbreak of the disease.

It urged the federal government, through the Ministry of Finance, to release, as a matter of urgency, all outstanding appropriated funds to relevant health agencies to enable them to discharge their responsibilities effectively.

The House mandated the Committee on Infectious Diseases to engage the appropriate ministries, departments, agencies, and public health institutions to obtain updates on Nigeria’s Ebola situation, preparedness, and response measures, and to report back to the House for further legislative action.