The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that there is no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country, while announcing intensified nationwide preparedness measures to prevent any possible outbreak.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, said the government had activated enhanced surveillance and response mechanisms following recent Ebola outbreaks reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
According to the minister, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, working through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Port Health Services, and other relevant agencies, is closely monitoring developments in collaboration with the World Health Organization and regional health authorities.
Pate said the government remained vigilant and fully committed to protecting public health through proactive measures aimed at strengthening early detection and rapid response systems across the country.
“While Nigeria currently has no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease, the Federal Government is taking all necessary proactive measures to strengthen national preparedness, surveillance, and coordination mechanisms to protect the health and wellbeing of all Nigerians,” he stated.
He listed key response measures already activated to include enhanced disease surveillance nationwide, strengthened screening and health declaration procedures at points of entry, improved laboratory and diagnostic capacity, and reinforced infection prevention and control protocols in health facilities.
The minister also disclosed that the government had intensified public awareness campaigns, risk communication, and community engagement efforts to educate Nigerians on preventive measures against the disease.
He urged citizens to remain calm, avoid spreading misinformation, maintain proper hand hygiene, and report any unusual illness to the nearest health facility promptly.
Healthcare workers across the country were equally advised to maintain a high level of vigilance, strictly adhere to infection prevention protocols, isolate suspected cases immediately, and report through established public health channels.
Pate reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding national health security and assured Nigerians that timely updates would continue to be provided as the situation evolves.
