Nasarawa govt issues Ebola alert, directs hospitals to strengthen surveillance
Nasarawa State’s Ministry of Health has issued a directive to public and private health facilities throughout the state to enhance disease surveillance and emergency preparedness. This measure follows the confirmation of an imported case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The advisory, dated October 21, 2026, comes in response to the identification of an Ebola case linked to the Bundibugyo virus on October 20. The affected individual is currently in isolation, and contact tracing is underway in the capital.
In a public health advisory signed by Dr. Attah Peter Ombugadu, the Director of Public Health, the ministry urged Local Government Area Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers, healthcare workers, and health facility administrators to take immediate actions to improve the state’s capacity to detect and respond to potential cases.
Healthcare workers are instructed to report suspected cases promptly through established surveillance channels to local government disease surveillance officers and the State Epidemiology Unit, without waiting for laboratory confirmation. The advisory emphasizes the need to isolate suspected patients from others and to minimize unnecessary movement between health facilities. Proper referral arrangements must be made in accordance with national protocols.
The ministry has also highlighted the importance of strict adherence to infection prevention and control measures. These include the appropriate use of personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, and safe handling of potentially contaminated materials.
Health facilities are advised to gather and document relevant travel, exposure, and contact histories. It is imperative that identified contacts and suspected exposures are reported to public health authorities promptly for assessment and follow-up.
As part of its preparedness plan, health facilities should review their emergency response protocols, confirm the availability of protective equipment, assess triage arrangements, and ensure that staff are informed about the proper procedures for reporting suspected cases.
Additionally, the advisory calls for increased public education on the symptoms, transmission, and prevention of Ebola. Health authorities are encouraged to combat misinformation, stigma, and unverified claims regarding the disease.
Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected symptomatic person or contaminated materials, and it does not spread through casual contact with uninfected individuals, according to the ministry.
Residents are advised to remain calm, cooperate with health officials, and rely on official sources for information. Those who suspect an Ebola case are encouraged to reach out to the state Rapid Response Team at 07035970293 or 07026366529.
The ministry has stressed that all health facilities and local government surveillance teams must treat this advisory with urgency and ensure immediate compliance to bolster Nasarawa State’s readiness against potential public health threats.
