Ebola Scare: NBMA Offers Experts For FCT Containment Efforts

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has offered to deploy its biosafety experts to support efforts to contain an imported case of Ebola virus disease confirmed in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and avoid spreading unverified information about the outbreak.

The agency said its experts were available to assist the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and other relevant response teams with biosafety and biosecurity measures aimed at preventing further transmission.

The director-general of NBMA, Dr Fatima Suleiman-Zuntu, gave the assurance on Wednesday, stressing the importance of coordinated action, public cooperation and strict adherence to established safety protocols in containing the disease.

She commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the NCDC, the FCT Health Services Secretariat and their partners for their ongoing response to the reported case.

Suleiman-Zuntu said Nigeria’s successful containment of Ebola in 2014 demonstrated the importance of preparedness, scientific evidence and collaboration among relevant institutions in responding to public health emergencies.

She urged Nigerians to remain calm, obtain information from credible public health authorities and avoid actions capable of undermining containment efforts.

The NBMA chief also advised members of the public to maintain proper hand hygiene, avoid contact with the body fluids of sick persons and refrain from handling the bodies of people suspected to have died from Ebola.

She warned against circulating unverified reports about the outbreak, noting the importance of relying on official advisories to prevent unnecessary panic.

Suleiman-Zuntu further urged anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with Ebola, particularly after contact with a suspected or confirmed case or travel to an affected area, to promptly seek guidance from public health authorities.

She also called on Nigerians to cooperate with health officials and comply with contact-tracing instructions as part of efforts to identify potential exposures and limit further transmission.

For verified information, public health guidance or to report suspected cases, members of the public can contact the NCDC toll-free line.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to working with relevant national institutions to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity practices and support evidence-based measures to protect public health and the environment.