Ebola: Biosafety agency urges Nigerians to stay calm, be vigilant
The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has urged Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant and rely on verified public health information following the confirmation of an imported case of Ebola virus in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Fatima Suleiman-Zuntu, Director-General (D-G) of the NBMA, gave the advice in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.
She reaffirmed NBMA’s commitment to supporting national containment measures through biosafety and biosecurity expertise, in accordance with its statutory mandate, as required by relevant response teams.
Ms Suleiman-Zuntu recalled Nigeria’s successful containment of Ebola in 2014, stressing that preparedness, coordinated action, scientific evidence and public cooperation remained essential in preventing further transmission.
She said the NBMA was ready to deploy its biosafety experts to support the NCDC and other relevant response teams in strengthening containment and infection prevention efforts.
The director-general advised Nigerians to follow official health advisories, practise proper hand hygiene, avoid contact with sick persons’ body fluids and refrain from handling bodies of suspected Ebola victims.
She also urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could trigger unnecessary panic while encouraging prompt consultation with health authorities when symptoms associated with Ebola develop.
Ms Suleiman-Zuntu advised anyone experiencing symptoms, particularly after contact with suspected or confirmed cases or travel to affected areas, to seek guidance from public health authorities promptly, in order to safeguard public health and the environment.
She urged Nigerians to comply with health officials’ instructions and cooperate with contact-tracing activities to support efforts to identify exposed persons and prevent further spread of the disease.
She commended the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), FCT authorities and partners for their response efforts.
The agency advised members of the public to call the NCDC toll-free line on 6232 or contact NBMA on 0808 225 4683 for verified information and guidance.
(NAN)
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