FG says 15 states yet to complete Ebola emergency plans after FCT case

The Federal Government has directed 15 states to accelerate their Ebola emergency response plans after an imported case was confirmed in the Federal Capital Territory. It has also ordered public and private hospitals to create isolation capacity and strengthen infection prevention measures.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Muhammad Pate said 21 states had updated their Ebola emergency response plans, while the remaining 15 had been asked to complete preparations. The government did not identify the 15 states.

Hospitals told to prepare isolation beds

Pate said hospitals had been instructed to provide isolation beds, strengthen infection prevention protocols and ensure health workers were trained and protected. He spoke at a briefing in Abuja and later at the 161st National Economic Council meeting, chaired virtually by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

In a statement by Shettima's spokesperson Stanley Nkwocha, Pate identified laboratory testing, surveillance at entry points, medical supplies and public communication as essential parts of the response.

"We have notified all our hospitals to make room for bed capacity, isolation, and prepare their health workers in terms of infection prevention in these cases, because health workers are on the front lines," Pate said.

He said the immediate priority was to prevent community transmission through early detection, rapid reporting and effective management of suspected infections. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has activated its incident management system. It is working with FCT authorities, the World Health Organisation and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Contact tracing and private hospitals

Health authorities have intensified contact tracing after the imported case. Pate said the patient had visited a private healthcare facility before the infection was confirmed. He urged private hospitals to notify public health authorities about suspected cases instead of managing them without official coordination.

The minister announced additional funding for the NCDC and the involvement of genomics expert Prof. Christian Happi to support investigations and viral sequencing. The infection has been linked to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which is distinct from the Zaire strain associated with the major West African outbreak of 2014 to 2016.

A diplomat infected with the Bundibugyo strain in Abuja has gone into multi-organ failure. Pate confirmed that 44 close contacts had been identified and tracing was underway.

Public awareness in Nigerian languages

Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris has directed federal information agencies to intensify public education on Ebola prevention. The campaign will involve the National Orientation Agency, Nigerian Television Authority, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and other government media organisations. Idris said materials would be produced in Nigerian languages to combat misinformation and encourage early reporting.

Pate said Nigeria had the institutional experience to manage the situation, recalling the response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak. "We must be vigilant, but not panic. People should respect public health information from trusted sources and not spread misinformation and false rumours," he said.

Residents have been advised to report suspected infections through the NCDC's 24-hour emergency number, 6232. The warning concerns incomplete preparedness plans, not confirmed Ebola infections in the 15 states. The response now faces a test: ensuring all 36 states can rapidly identify, report and contain suspected infections before isolated cases develop into wider transmission.