NCDC Debunks Ebola Rumours
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed Ebola case linked to the current regional outbreak.
The agency said surveillance and preparedness activities remained active nationwide to promptly detect any possible infections.
The centre, in a Wednesday statement issued in Abuja, said it was responding to misinformation circulating about the outbreak by providing verified facts about Ebola transmission, prevention, symptoms, and the country’s preparedness measures nationwide.
It said rumours claiming Ebola was already spreading widely in Nigeria were false, emphasising that no confirmed cases existed. At the same time, health authorities continued monitoring and preparedness efforts for any sign of the disease nationwide.
The agency also dismissed claims that salt water, bitter kola, herbs, or seasoning cubes could prevent or cure Ebola. It emphasised that no approved home remedies existed for the deadly viral disease presently.
“People say Ebola and Hantavirus are the same disease. Hantavirus spreads mainly by inhaling rodent dust and rarely between people.
“Ebola spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids. “Some people said that Ebola outbreaks are deliberately created or manipulated.
“While the truth is that Ebola is a known viral haemorrhagic illness with a history of outbreaks in several countries,” it added.
According to the agency, public health authorities and healthcare workers were responding to protect lives and contain further spread through established protocols, disease surveillance systems, evidence-based interventions, and coordinated emergency preparedness nationwide efforts.
“People believe if someone has a fever, it must be Ebola. The fact is that many illnesses cause fever, including malaria, typhoid, Lassa fever, and other infections.
“Healthcare workers use case definitions, travel history, symptoms, and laboratory testing to identify the real cause.
“Mislabeling delays proper treatment and fuels unnecessary fear,” it said.
The statement also addressed concerns about healthcare facilities, saying hospitals and clinics were strengthening infection prevention and control measures to protect patients, healthcare workers, and visitors during any suspected disease outbreak situation.
“This includes triage systems, hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and isolation procedures.
“These steps protect both patients and healthcare workers and reduce transmission risk inside hospitals,” the statement added.
The agency further dismissed rumours suggesting Ebola only affected other countries, stressing that although Nigeria had no confirmed case, regional outbreaks still required vigilance, preparedness, and responsible public health behaviour from citizens nationwide.
“Responsible public health behaviour reduces the risk of importation and onward transmission if a case occurs,” it said.
The agency also cautioned Nigerians against spreading unverified information capable of causing unnecessary panic and confusion nationwide.
The centre urged the public to rely only on information from official health authorities and credible sources, while advising regular hand hygiene and avoidance of contact with bodily fluids of sick persons.
It also advised Nigerians against handling sick or dead animals, including bushmeat from unknown sources, urging citizens to report unusual illnesses promptly and remain calm, vigilant, and guided by verified public health information.
“Symptoms of Ebola infection may include fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain, and sore throat. Other signs are vomiting, diarrhoea, and in severe cases, bleeding.
“If you develop these symptoms, seek care immediately. Do not self-medicate and do not delay reporting to health authorities,” it added.
The agency also encouraged early reporting and prompt medical intervention to save lives nationwide. #NCDC Debunks Ebola Rumours#
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