By Omoyeni Ojeifo
The Federal Government has ruled out cancelling planned public gatherings over Nigeria’s confirmed Ebola case for now, saying any decision to impose restrictions will depend on the evolving health situation and expert advice.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, stated this during a press briefing on Thursday night, explaining that the government would reassess its position if the outbreak situation changed.
“At this moment, there is no indication that requires us to alter the course of large gatherings that have been planned,” Pate said.
According to him, the government would consult relevant experts before changing its position, stressing that decisions would be based on evidence and the progression of the outbreak.
“But if the situation changes, we’ll make a determination. We’ll consult broadly with right experts and make that determination,” he stated.
Pate described the confirmed case as contained and said there was no evidence of community transmission at the time of the briefing.
He said authorities were working to prevent further spread through surveillance, contact tracing and coordinated public health measures.
“Now, this is a contained single case, and we are diligently working to ensure that it remains so,” the minister said.
The minister disclosed that the government had engaged the Presidential Task Force, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the National Economic Council to coordinate preparedness across the country.
According to him, religious leaders including the Sultan of Sokoto and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria had also been engaged to strengthen public awareness and encourage cooperation with health authorities.
Pate also noted that states had been directed to complete outstanding response plans, while commissioners of health were expected to meet to review preparedness. Private healthcare practitioners were also being sensitised.
The government was strengthening screening at Nigeria’s points of entry, including ensuring thermal imaging equipment was functional and that traveller assessments reflected the risk categorisation of their countries of origin.
The minister disclosed that the index case had tested positive three times, but said the results remained confidential.
“Nigerian authorities diagnosed and confirmed the case and notified the World Health Organisation within 24 hours of being informed,”he noted.
“The government is also working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Professor Christian Happi of Redeemer’s University and other partners on genomic sequencing to support investigations into the case,” he added.
The minister also disclosed that Nigeria had engaged the World Health Organisation, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and other international partners to strengthen the response.
He warned that misinformation could undermine containment efforts, particularly if it encouraged people to disregard isolation guidance or other public health measures.
The government advised Nigerians to practise regular handwashing, avoid contact with bodily fluids and seek medical attention promptly if they developed symptoms alongside relevant exposure or travel history.
Hospitals had also been advised to prepare isolation beds and ensure healthcare workers were ready to respond, while the government continued monitoring the situation.
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