The Academy of Medical Sciences of Nigeria has called for enhanced screening at airports, seaports and land borders following the detection of an Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging Nigerians to avoid handshakes, hugs and other unnecessary physical contact.

The Academy also called for the immediate activation of high-alert protocols nationwide, as health authorities intensify contact tracing and surveillance to prevent further spread of the disease.

In a public health advisory issued yesterday, and signed by Emeritus Professor Osato Giwa-Osagie, president of the Academy; Professor Oladapo A. Ashiru, foundation president; and Professor Boaz Adegboro of the Rapid Response Committee, the Academy commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the FCT Health Services Secretariat for their prompt commencement of contact tracing, isolation of the patient and the surveillance put in place.

It urged the government to draw on Nigeria’s experience in containing the 2014 Ebola outbreak and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic to strengthen the current response.
The advisory called for stricter infection prevention and control measures in public and private health facilities, adequate personal protective equipment for health workers and the activation of isolation and treatment centres across states.

It also urged healthcare professionals to maintain a high level of suspicion, promptly isolate suspected cases and report them immediately to public health authorities.
On preventive measures, the Academy advised Nigerians to adopt non-contact greetings during the period.

“As a simple and effective precaution, the Academy advises all Nigerians to avoid handshakes and other unnecessary physical contact, including hugging, during this period,” the statement said.

It added that the public should remain calm but vigilant, stressing that there was no need for panic.

The Academy also clarified that the disease spreads not through airborne but transmitted through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who is showing symptoms, a person who has died from the disease, or materials contaminated by such fluids.

It noted that an infected person cannot transmit the disease before symptoms appear.
The Academy also urged the Nigerians to wash their hands regularly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitisers, avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone who is ill and refrain from handling the bodies of people suspected to have died from Ebola.

The Academy listed fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea among the symptoms to watch for, particularly following possible exposure to the virus.

It urged anyone who suspects they have been exposed or develops symptoms to contact public health authorities before visiting a health facility.

The statement also called on Nigerians to cooperate with contact-tracing teams by reporting a suspected case to call the NCDC’s toll-free number, 6232, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and also avoid stigmatising suspected cases.

The Academy, therefore, reaffirmed its readiness to support the Federal Government and other stakeholders with expert advice as efforts to contain the outbreak continue.