Ebola case: FG says political campaigns and public meetings can continue for now

The Federal Government says there is currently no public health justification for canceling political rallies, conferences and other large gatherings following the confirmation of cases of imported Ebola virus disease in Nigeria.

Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, said on Thursday in Abuja that the government would reconsider its position if the situation worsens, and stressed that any restrictions would be guided by scientific evidence and expert advice.

At a press conference regarding the national response, Pate revealed that infected patients are receiving medical treatment and showing encouraging signs of recovery based on laboratory results.

“Thankfully, the person has been treated and has even recovered. Today, I spoke with the doctor, and I understand that the laboratory results show great progress, and there is a possibility that he will recover,” he said.

However, the minister reminded that the improvement in the patient’s condition does not eliminate the need for continued vigilance and coordinated efforts to prevent further transmission.

“We have to continue to pray and work hard to make sure he is safe,” Pate said.

He explained that the patient did not show symptoms when he arrived in Nigeria, but only showed symptoms a few days later. Confirmation of the infection prompted contact tracing efforts to identify people who may have been exposed.

According to him, health authorities have assessed contacts related to patient hospital attendance, household interactions, and visits to private clinics, and classified them based on their level of exposure.

“High-risk contacts have been fully quarantined at a facility. Others have been isolated, and we are ensuring that isolation is enforced, in accordance with expert public health guidance,” he said.

Pate said the Nigerian Center for Disease Control and Prevention had activated the incident management system and was coordinating the national response with the Federal Capital Territory authorities.

He added that the Federal Government had briefed the Presidential Task Force, Nigerian Governors Forum and the National Economic Council, while state governments had also been briefed.

Also read: NEC sets 90-day economic priorities to ease hardship and lower transport costs

The President, he said, had provided additional resources to the NCDC, and further domestic funding was mobilized to support containment and preparedness. The government is also working with the World Health Organization, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other technical partners.

The minister revealed that arrangements are being made for additional genome sequencing to provide a clearer understanding of the strain of the virus detected in the country.

He said Prof. Christian Happi, a genomics specialist based at Redeemer’s University in Ede, has been invited to support NCDC laboratory and surveillance operations.

Pate stated that Nigeria has the capacity to identify and respond to the infection, given the speed of diagnosis and reporting of such cases internationally.

“We assure Nigerians that the public health capacity is there. We were able to diagnose this from the moment the public health authorities were notified, within 24 hours, and we notified WHO,” he said.

He called on the public to observe recommended precautions, including frequent hand washing and avoiding unnecessary contact with other people’s bodily fluids.

Explaining how it is transmitted, Pate said Ebola is not an airborne disease but spreads through contact with infected body fluids. He advised anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, headache and muscle aches, especially those with relevant travel history, to self-isolate and contact public health authorities immediately.

“We assure the Nigerian people that we are capable of dealing with it. But to do that, we need the cooperation of the Nigerian people to follow the advice of experts,” he said.

The Minister also appealed to identified contacts to comply with quarantine and isolation instructions, and warned that failure to comply with such measures could endanger others.

Hospitals, including federal health facilities, have been directed to prepare isolation beds and strengthen infection prevention and control procedures, especially for frontline health workers. Private hospitals and practitioners are also urged to immediately report suspected cases.

Pate noted that private healthcare providers can play an important role in identifying infections early and supporting the management of disease outbreaks.

Responding to concerns about whether political activities and other large events should be postponed, Pate said the government was not prepared to impose restrictions without evidence that they were necessary to protect public health.

“At this time there is no indication that we will need to change the course of the large meeting that has been planned,” he said.

“But if the situation changes, we will make a decision; we will consult widely with the appropriate experts and make that decision.”

He also warned against politicizing the outbreak, and described public health as an issue that cuts across political, religious and ethnic divides.

“If there is one issue that can unite Nigerians, it is health, because health has no political party, no nationality, no nationality, no tribe, no religion. It is a great unifier,” he said.

Pate called on the media to report verified information from health authorities and avoid spreading unconfirmed claims that could undermine public confidence in the response.

Responding to doubts expressed by some Nigerians about the existence of the outbreak, he said repeated laboratory tests had confirmed the existence of the infection.

“In fact, we have one case. We have been tested three times, and three times the results were positive,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to rely on qualified health professionals and official communications, and warned that misinformation could undermine compliance with preventive measures.

“The alternative to trusting experts is a tragedy. It is truly a tragedy,” the minister said.

He pointed to the difficulties Nigeria has experienced in the past in terms of resistance to polio vaccination as an example of how misinformation can hinder public health programs and expose communities to preventable risks.

The government also strengthened inspections and surveillance at the country’s entry points, including checking the function of thermal imaging equipment and compliance with international health regulations to assess the risk to travelers.

Pate said the Federal Government would continue to provide updates as the investigation progressed, while the NCDC would hold daily briefings and the health ministry would monitor developments.

“We don’t want anything more than that, there’s no need to panic, but we have to be alert,” he said.