The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant following confirmation of an Ebola Virus Disease case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
NEMA Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, made the call in a statement she personally signed on Wednesday in Abuja.
She said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), working with the FCT Health Services Secretariat, were leading the national response.
According to her, the confirmed patient has been isolated and is receiving medical care, while contact tracing and surveillance are ongoing.
“NEMA recognises and supports the leadership of these health authorities.
“Our role is to remain ready to provide appropriate coordination and emergency support as may be required,” she said.
Umar said the most important message to Nigerians at this time was to remain calm, vigilant and follow official health advice.
She emphasised that there was no need for panic.
The NEMA director-general explained that Ebola spreads mainly through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person showing symptoms or through contaminated materials.
She advised Nigerians to wash their hands frequently with soap and running water or use alcohol-based hand sanitisers.
Umar also advised Nigerians to avoid direct contact with the blood and bodily fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola and unsafe contact with wild animals.
She urged the public not to touch or prepare the bodies of people suspected of dying from Ebola, noting that trained health authorities should manage such burials.
“If you develop fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting or diarrhoea following possible exposure, seek medical guidance immediately,” she said.
Umar appealed to Nigerians to cooperate fully with contact-tracing teams and avoid rumours, misinformation and stigmatisation.
She urged anyone contacted by public health officials to provide accurate information and follow guidance, adding that suspected cases could be reported through the NCDC toll-free number, 6232.
The NEMA boss recalled that Nigeria successfully contained Ebola in 2014, noting that early detection, responsible behaviour, effective contact tracing and coordinated action could break the chain of transmission.
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