From handwashing to hospital visits and travel precautions, these simple measures could help protect you and your family from Ebola.
With renewed concerns over Ebola virus disease, Nigerians are being urged to take preventive measures to protect themselves and their families from infection.
Ebola is a serious infectious disease that can spread through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who has developed symptoms, as well as objects contaminated with those fluids.
Although the disease can be deadly, early identification, proper medical care and effective infection prevention measures can substantially improve outcomes and reduce transmission.
Here are 10 important precautions every Nigerian should know.
1. Wash your hands regularly
One of the simplest ways to reduce infection risks is to maintain proper hand hygiene.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water, particularly after caring for someone who is ill, visiting a healthcare facility or touching potentially contaminated surfaces.
Where soap and water are unavailable, an appropriate alcohol-based hand sanitiser can be used when hands are not visibly dirty.
2. Avoid direct contact with the body fluids of sick people
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood, vomit, faeces, urine, saliva and certain other body fluids of infected individuals who are symptomatic.
Avoid unprotected contact with these fluids, particularly when caring for someone with a suspected infection.
If a family member develops symptoms and has a possible history of exposure, seek professional guidance rather than attempting to manage the situation without appropriate protection.
3. Don’t touch someone you suspect has Ebola without protection
Compassion is important, but caring for a person with suspected Ebola requires proper protective measures.
Do not attempt to clean vomit, blood or other body fluids without appropriate protective equipment and guidance from healthcare professionals.
Contact public health authorities for instructions on how to obtain medical assistance safely.
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4. Avoid handling the bodies of people suspected to have died from Ebola
Ebola can remain infectious in the body of a person who has died from the disease.
Traditional burial practices involving washing, touching or kissing the body can expose mourners to infection.
Where Ebola is suspected, allow trained burial teams to handle the remains using established safety procedures.
5. Don’t share items contaminated with body fluids
Clothing, bedding, towels and medical equipment contaminated with infectious body fluids can transmit Ebola.
Avoid handling or sharing such items without appropriate protection.
Cleaning and disinfection should be carried out according to public health guidance.
6. Be cautious around sick or dead wild animals
Ebola can pass from infected animals to humans.
Avoid handling sick or dead bats, monkeys and other wild animals that may carry the virus.
Bushmeat should not be handled or consumed when it comes from animals found sick or dead, or from sources suspected of infection.
7. Take travel and exposure warnings seriously
People travelling from areas experiencing an Ebola outbreak should follow official health advisories.
If you have visited an affected area or had contact with someone who may have Ebola, pay close attention to your health for 21 days after the last possible exposure.
Report relevant exposure to health authorities and follow their monitoring instructions.
8. Seek medical guidance immediately if symptoms develop
Do not wait until symptoms become severe before seeking help.
If you develop fever, weakness, vomiting or diarrhoea after possible exposure to Ebola, avoid close contact with others and contact health authorities immediately.
Call ahead rather than arriving unannounced at a hospital, so healthcare workers can prepare to receive you safely.
9. Follow contact-tracing instructions
If health officials identify you as a contact of someone with Ebola, cooperate fully.
Provide accurate information about your movements and contacts, monitor your health as instructed and report any symptoms immediately.
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Being identified as a contact does not mean you have Ebola. It means health authorities are taking precautions to prevent possible transmission.
10. Get information from trusted health authorities, not rumours
During disease outbreaks, misinformation can spread rapidly.
Do not rely on unverified social media remedies, claims about miracle cures or advice suggesting that herbs, salt water or other home treatments can prevent Ebola.
Follow updates from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation.
What every Nigerian should remember
Ebola does not spread through ordinary airborne transmission in the way measles does, and people infected with Ebola do not transmit the virus before symptoms develop.
The greatest risks arise from direct exposure to infectious body fluids and contaminated materials.
If you suspect Ebola, avoid unprotected contact, seek professional guidance immediately and cooperate with public health officials.
For public health information and reporting of suspected cases, Nigerians can contact the NCDC through its toll-free line, 6232.
Prevention begins with the right information. Protect yourself, protect your family and share verified health advice.
