The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has launched an Ebola preparedness webinar series aimed at combating misinformation and strengthening the country’s readiness for a possible Ebola outbreak.
The Ebola preparedness webinar series is part of the agency’s proactive communication strategy to ensure Nigerians receive accurate information before any confirmed Ebola case is recorded in the country.
Speaking during the inaugural session of the Ebola preparedness webinar series on Thursday, NCDC Director-General Dr Jide Idris said the initiative would help build public trust, promote vigilance and prevent the spread of rumours during disease outbreaks.
Idris said Nigeria currently has no confirmed Ebola cases linked to the ongoing outbreak in East Africa but stressed the need for continuous preparedness.
According to him, as of June 6, the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda had recorded 533 confirmed cases and 84 deaths.
“The virus has crossed into Uganda, and experience from Ebola, COVID-19, Mpox, cholera and Lassa fever shows that diseases do not respect borders,” he said.
He explained that the Ebola preparedness webinar series would bring together government agencies, health workers, media organisations, civil society groups and community leaders to strengthen public awareness and improve outbreak preparedness.
The NCDC boss urged stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Orientation Agency and state governments, to deliver consistent messages that promote public confidence and trust.
According to Idris, effective communication remains a key part of disease preparedness and outbreak response.
He said the Ebola preparedness webinar series would provide a platform for coordination, information sharing and capacity building among stakeholders across Nigeria.
Over the coming weeks, discussions under the Ebola preparedness webinar series will focus on community engagement, social listening, media engagement, inclusive communication and state-level preparedness efforts.
“The aim is to strengthen Nigeria’s ability to prevent, detect and respond to any potential Ebola event,” he said.
Idris noted that preparedness should begin before any disease outbreak occurs. He added that while laboratories, surveillance systems, treatment centres and emergency operations centres are important, public trust and community participation are equally critical.
He identified misinformation, fear, stigma and false cures as major threats that can undermine outbreak response efforts.
To address these challenges, Idris said Nigeria is prioritising risk communication, community engagement and infodemic management.
He advised Nigerians to rely on information from official sources such as the NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Health for updates on Ebola and other public health issues.
The NCDC Director-General also highlighted the importance of regional cooperation, noting that Nigeria is working with ECOWAS member states and development partners to strengthen health security across West Africa.
He described the Ebola preparedness webinar series as a critical step toward ensuring the country remains vigilant, informed and prepared for any potential outbreak.
“The best time to strengthen preparedness is before an outbreak occurs, and the best way to protect communities is through trust, partnership and timely action,” Idris said.