The Federal Government has directed public information agencies to strengthen Ebola prevention campaigns across Nigeria following a reported case of Ebola Virus Disease involving a woman who recently arrived in Abuja from Uganda.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, issued the directive as part of efforts to improve public awareness, encourage early reporting of suspected infections and prevent the spread of misleading information.
The instruction was disclosed in a statement issued by the minister’s media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
FG Mobilises Information Agencies for Ebola Awareness
The minister directed several agencies under the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to intensify public education on Ebola.
They include the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Voice of Nigeria (VON) and News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Idris said accurate public health information was essential to helping Nigerians understand the disease and take appropriate preventive measures.
He instructed the agencies to communicate clearly about how Ebola spreads, the symptoms people should recognise and the appropriate channels for reporting suspected cases.
The minister also emphasised the need to make information available in local languages so that communities across the country could understand the health guidance.
Reported Ebola Patient in Isolation in Abuja
According to the account provided in the ministerial statement, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) had confirmed an Ebola case involving a woman who recently travelled to Abuja from Uganda.
The statement said the patient had been placed in isolation and was receiving treatment.
It also indicated that health officials had identified people who came into contact with the patient and were monitoring them.
These details were reported in the NAN account of the ministerial statement. Independent confirmation from an original NCDC case bulletin is necessary before treating the reported diagnosis as fully verified.
Minister Directs Agencies to Work With NCDC
Idris instructed the information agencies to coordinate their public messages with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the NCDC.
He said public communications should be based on verified medical information to prevent confusion and unnecessary alarm.
The minister stressed that timely communication could help people recognise possible symptoms, seek appropriate medical advice and avoid actions that increase infection risks.
He also urged the agencies to maintain consistent messaging across television, radio, news platforms and community outreach programmes.
NOA to Lead Grassroots Sensitisation
The National Orientation Agency was directed to use its nationwide network to reach communities at the grassroots.
The campaign is expected to involve traditional rulers, religious leaders, community organisations and local media outlets.
According to the minister, these partnerships would help ensure that prevention messages reach people who may not regularly access national news platforms.
He emphasised that awareness campaigns should explain the disease in simple language and provide practical information about what to do when a suspected case is identified.
How Ebola Spreads and What Nigerians Should Know
Ebola Virus Disease is a serious infectious illness that can spread through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person who is showing symptoms, or through contaminated materials.
It does not spread through ordinary airborne transmission in the way that measles does.
Possible symptoms include fever, severe weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. Bleeding can occur in some cases but is not present in every patient.
People who believe they may have been exposed should contact health authorities promptly rather than attempting to manage a suspected infection without medical guidance.
FG Warns Against Ebola Misinformation
The information minister appealed to Nigerians to remain calm and avoid sharing unverified claims about Ebola on social media.
He urged the public to rely on updates from recognised health authorities, particularly the NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Health.
Idris said responsible communication would support public health efforts and reduce the risk of fear spreading faster than reliable information.
He also encouraged Nigerians to report suspected infections through official channels.
NCDC Emergency Contact
The minister advised members of the public to contact the NCDC through its toll-free emergency number, 6232 when they need to report a suspected case or seek guidance.
He maintained that cooperation between government agencies, health professionals, community leaders and residents would be important to effective disease prevention.
The Federal Government’s latest directive places renewed emphasis on public education, accurate reporting and early medical intervention as essential parts of Ebola preparedness.
