By Sodiq Omolaoye, Abuja

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has pledged to provide biosafety experts to support the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and other relevant response teams following the confirmation of an imported case of Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NBMA, Dr Fatima Suleiman-Zuntu, who made this known in a statement, urged Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant and guided by verified public health information to avoid spreading panic over the outbreak.

She reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the national response through its biosafety and biosecurity expertise, in line with its statutory mandate.

Suleiman-Zuntu commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, NCDC, the FCT Health Services Secretariat and their partners for their response efforts, stressing the importance of coordination and public cooperation in containing the disease.

“Nigeria’s experience in containing Ebola in 2014 demonstrates the importance of preparedness, coordinated action and public cooperation. We must remain vigilant, rely on scientific evidence and adhere to established safety protocols,” she said.

The NBMA chief said the agency was ready to make its biosafety experts available to the NCDC and relevant response teams, as required, to complement ongoing containment and infection prevention efforts.

She urged members of the public to follow official advisories, practise good hand hygiene and avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone who is ill.

The agency also warned Nigerians against handling the bodies of people who may have died from suspected Ebola, while urging them to refrain from circulating unverified information capable of creating unnecessary fear.

Suleiman-Zuntu advised anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with Ebola, particularly after contact with a suspected or confirmed case or travel to an affected area, to promptly seek guidance from public health authorities.

She further urged Nigerians to follow instructions from health officials and cooperate fully with contact-tracing efforts to support the national response.

For verified information, guidance and reporting of suspected cases, members of the public were advised to contact the NCDC toll-free line on 6232 or the NBMA on 0808 225 4683.

The agency reiterated its commitment to strengthening biosafety and biosecurity practices, promoting evidence-based action and working with relevant national institutions to protect public health and the environment.