The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kwara State chapter, has urged residents to observe preventive measures following the confirmation of Nigeria’s first case of Ebola virus disease.

The state chairman of the association, Dr Suleiman Rotimi, gave the advice in an interview in Ilorin during activities marking the 2026 Physicians’ Week.

Nigeria recently confirmed an Ebola case involving a woman who had travelled to Uganda amid an outbreak affecting parts of East Africa.

Ebola is a rare but severe disease that can be fatal in humans and non-human primates. It is caused by viruses belonging to the genus Orthoebolavirus.

Rotimi said relevant health agencies had commenced response activities to contain the disease and prevent its spread across the country.

He commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the Kwara State Ministry of Health and the state epidemiology team for their efforts.

The NMA chairman urged residents to adopt preventive practices similar to those observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, including regular handwashing, appropriate use of face masks and maintaining physical distance where necessary.

“Most of the things that we did during COVID, we have to start doing them too. Washing of hands, use of face masks, social and physical distances,” he said.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspected cases promptly.

Rotimi called on agencies operating at the country’s points of entry to strengthen surveillance, particularly for travellers arriving from countries with confirmed Ebola cases.

He noted that Kwara’s location as a border state made heightened vigilance necessary, urging relevant agencies to strengthen screening and other preventive measures for travellers from affected areas.

The NMA chairman, however, expressed confidence in the state’s ability to prevent the virus from spreading into Kwara, citing its response during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Kwara usually does well and during COVID-19, we were one of the best. So I have no doubt that Kwara will be able to curtail this virus from getting into the state,” he said.