Follow Us on Google
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has urged Nigerians to remain vigilant against Ebola and other infectious diseases as the country marks 21 days since confirmation of its first Ebola case.
The Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, gave the advisory while providing an update on the country’s public health security situation, including ongoing outbreaks of Lassa fever, Dengue fever, Chikungunya, Diphtheria and Cerebrospinal Meningitis.
The advisory comes as Nigeria continues to sustain its public health response following the confirmation of its first Ebola case, while also managing other disease outbreaks across the country.
Idris urged Nigerians to maintain vigilance and adopt preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection, particularly as the festive season approaches, when increased movement and social interactions could heighten public health concerns.
He advised citizens to seek medical attention promptly whenever they feel unwell, protect themselves against mosquito and rodent bites, ensure that children receive all recommended vaccinations and cooperate with public health response teams.
The NCDC boss also cautioned Nigerians against spreading unverified information, urging them to rely on credible sources for updates on disease outbreaks and public health interventions.
He stressed that public health security required collective responsibility, calling on state governments to strengthen disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, treatment preparedness and community engagement.
According to the advisory, state governments must also ensure that frontline health workers receive adequate funding, equipment and operational support to enable them to respond effectively to emerging public health threats.
Idris further called on public and private health facilities to promptly report suspected cases of infectious diseases and put appropriate measures in place to protect healthcare personnel.
He emphasised the importance of early detection and reporting in containing outbreaks and preventing further transmission within communities.
The NCDC urged Nigerians to celebrate responsibly during the approaching festive season, remain conscious of their health and observe recommended preventive measures.
It reiterated that preventing and controlling disease outbreaks could not be left to government alone, but required the cooperation of individuals, communities, healthcare providers and other stakeholders. “Public health security remains a shared responsibility,” the agency stressed.
