The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has alerted Nigerians to the dangers of Ebola and other infectious biological threats that pose risks to public health.
Dr. Agnes Asagbra, Director-General of NBMA, issued the caution in Abuja on Tuesday, noting that Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) remains one of the deadliest infections in the world, with fatality rates ranging from 25 to 90 percent.
She explained that recent incidents of suspected viral haemorrhagic fevers within Nigeria and neighbouring countries underscored the need for collective vigilance and shared responsibility.
According to her, other health threats of concern include Lassa fever, anthrax, avian influenza, and antimicrobial resistance, which all demand readiness and early response.
Asagbra encouraged Nigerians to stay informed by consulting the latest Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) advisory on suspected viral haemorrhagic fever events in Abuja. She emphasised the importance of seeking medical attention promptly if unwell, particularly after recent travel, and of providing health workers with accurate travel history.
She also highlighted preventive steps such as frequent handwashing with soap and water, using alcohol-based sanitisers, and avoiding close contact with individuals showing symptoms like fever, bleeding, vomiting, or diarrhoea.
In addition, she advised the public to shun contact with wild animals such as bats, monkeys, and apes, and to ensure that animal products are thoroughly cooked before consumption. She reminded Nigerians to report suspected cases immediately to health officials through the NCDC Connect Centre (6232) or NBMA hotlines, and to rely only on verified updates from relevant agencies.
“As part of our mandate, we are working with partners to fortify Nigeria’s biosecurity systems and protect citizens from emerging biological risks,” she said.
Asagbra further called on religious leaders, traditional rulers, and community influencers to use their platforms to build trust in health authorities and counter misinformation.
She urged them to advocate safe burial practices, discourage handling of bodies of suspected victims of infectious diseases, and mobilise communities to embrace hygiene, report unusual health cases, and support surveillance systems.
The NBMA boss reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to working with stakeholders to safeguard Nigerians, stressing that proactive community participation is essential in winning the fight against Ebola and other biological threats