The Edo State Government has called on residents to remain calm, observe preventive measures and promptly report any suspected cases following the confirmation of a new Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) case in Nigeria.
Dr. Paul Eighemhenrio, Permanent Secretary of the Edo Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, made the call on Wednesday in Benin during a news conference held on behalf of the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole.
Eighemhenrio disclosed that the state is strengthening its surveillance and preparedness systems in collaboration with relevant health authorities to protect residents.
The measures, according to him, include intensified surveillance in communities and health facilities, infection prevention and control protocols, follow-up of relevant passengers, and sustained public health awareness campaigns.
He advised residents to avoid direct contact with other people’s blood and body fluids and to practise good hand hygiene by regularly washing their hands with soap and running water or using alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
The Permanent Secretary urged anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding — particularly after possible exposure — to seek immediate medical attention.
He also advised anyone who believes they may have been exposed to the virus to notify health authorities promptly and comply fully with public health instructions.
Eighemhenrio further called on residents to cooperate with public health teams conducting contact tracing and cautioned against stigmatising affected persons, their families or individuals identified as contacts.
He equally advised the public to refrain from spreading rumours and unverified information, stressing the need to rely solely on official communications from recognised public health authorities.
“Members of the public are urged to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and rely exclusively on official communications from recognised public health authorities,” he said.
Recalling Nigeria’s successful containment of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, Eighemhenrio emphasised the critical role of coordinated public health action in preventing the spread of the disease. “The country had an outbreak in 2014 and was able to adequately contain it,” he noted.
He directed residents requiring further information or wishing to report suspected cases to contact designated public health officials on 08065525595, 07039275557 and 08060593802.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Tuesday confirmed an Ebola virus disease case in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, following laboratory confirmation.
The case involved a woman who had recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda. Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, stated that the woman was in isolation and receiving medical care.