The Bayelsa State Government has assured residents that no case of Ebola Virus Disease has been confirmed in the state, saying it is strengthening surveillance and emergency response measures to prevent a possible outbreak.
The state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, gave the assurance on Saturday during a press conference in Yenagoa following the confirmation of an imported Ebola case in Abuja by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention on October 20, 2026.
Brisibe said the government had intensified disease surveillance and public awareness campaigns across the state’s eight local government areas to ensure the early detection and management of suspected cases.
“Let me state clearly that, as of this briefing, no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease has been reported in Bayelsa State,” he said.
He, however, stressed the need for vigilance, noting that the government was taking proactive steps to protect residents.
According to the commissioner, the measures include strengthening the State Emergency Operations Centre, increasing surveillance in public and private health facilities, transport terminals and communities, and reviewing isolation and treatment arrangements.
He added that healthcare workers had been reminded to comply strictly with infection prevention and control guidelines, including the proper use of personal protective equipment.
Brisibe said the state was also collaborating with the NCDC, the World Health Organisation and other relevant partners to ensure that its preparedness measures met established public health standards.
“There is no reason for panic, but there is every reason for vigilance,” he said, urging residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information about the disease.
The commissioner explained that Ebola is transmitted primarily through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person, as well as contaminated materials.
He listed early symptoms to include fever, severe headache, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, noting that bleeding could occur in some cases but was not always present.
He advised residents to maintain proper hand hygiene, avoid contact with the body fluids of suspected cases and refrain from handling sick or dead wild animals or consuming bushmeat from such animals.
Brisibe further urged anyone experiencing symptoms associated with Ebola, particularly after travelling to an affected area or coming into contact with a suspected or confirmed case, to seek medical attention promptly and disclose their travel and exposure history.
He advised people who suspected they had been exposed to the virus to contact the nearest health authority for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility, where possible.
The commissioner also cautioned against stigmatising individuals based on their travel history or suspected exposure, clarifying that Ebola is not spread through ordinary casual contact with healthy individuals.
He said the state would build on its experience in managing previous public health emergencies, including COVID-19, cholera and mpox, to strengthen its surveillance and rapid response systems.
“I have directed the relevant technical teams to maintain heightened vigilance and ensure that identified preparedness gaps are promptly addressed,” he added.
Brisibe called on healthcare professionals, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community organisations, transport operators and the media to support the government’s efforts to prevent the spread of the disease.
He assured residents that the Ministry of Health would provide regular updates as the situation developed, urging the public to rely on verified information from the ministry and the NCDC.
“Our message to every Bayelsan is simple: Stay calm, stay informed, remain vigilant and report suspected cases promptly,” he said.
