Ebola outbreak: FG should not delay setting up task force — AMSN

The Academy of Medical Sciences Nigeria (AMSN) has warned the Federal Government not to delay the setting up of a national task force, as it raised concern over a high risk of a fresh Ebola outbreak in Nigeria following recent cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

The Academy called for an immediate, coordinated government response to prevent the virus from entering Nigeria. This includes setting up a national task force, stockpiling personal protective equipment (PPE), and strengthening border surveillance.

The warning was contained in a joint statement released by AMSN President, Emeritus Professor Osato Giwa-Osagie, and the Chairman of the Rapid Response Committee, Professor Obinna Onwujekwe.

AMSN is a foremost professional body committed to advancing healthcare, biomedical research, disease prevention, and evidence-based policy in Nigeria.

The leadership underscored that the historical devastation of Ebola, which damages healthcare infrastructure, affects local economies, and destabilises communities, must serve as an urgent wake-up call for proactive intervention.

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While acknowledging that Nigeria’s successful containment of the virus during the 2014 outbreak remains a global landmark, the Academy noted that past victory does not guarantee permanent immunity. The recurrence of the virus on the continent highlights how vulnerable interconnected nations remain to highly infectious viruses.

To safeguard the country, the AMSN urged federal and state governments to build defensive measures immediately. Specifically, the Academy called for the swift formation of a National Preparedness Task Force. This body would bring together federal and state health ministries, teaching hospitals, port health authorities, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), private healthcare associations, and laboratory networks.

The experts also emphasised the need to stockpile medical countermeasures, accelerate diagnostics, and enhance border protocols. They recommended the launch of public awareness campaigns targeting international travellers, border communities, and frontline healthcare workers.

Similarly, the Academy directed all state hospitals, primary healthcare centres (PHCs), and private clinics to maintain a heightened state of alert.

For the general public, the AMSN advised staying calm but vigilant. Citizens were urged to adopt preventive habits such as regular handwashing with soap or alcohol-based sanitisers.

The professional body strongly warned against direct contact with the bodily fluids of sick individuals, handling bushmeat from unknown sources, and participating in unsafe traditional burial practices.

Furthermore, the Academy urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information on social media to prevent unnecessary panic.

The AMSN stated it stands ready to support the Nigerian government through expert consultation, scientific guidance, and collaborative response initiatives to ensure national biosecurity.