President of the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria, Professor Oladapo Ashiru has urged Nigerians to avoid kisses, handshakes, hugs and unnecessary physical contact following confirmation of Ebola in Abuja.
Ashiru gave the advice on Wednesday during an interview on Arise Television.
According to him, Ebola spreads primarily through direct contact with the blood and body fluids of an infected person showing symptoms, not through air.
“Ebola is not airborne. But avoid kisses, hugs and handshakes,” Ashiru said.
Ashiru urged Nigerian people to maintain physical distance and observe strict hygiene and infection prevention measures.
Ashiru demanded instant activation of high-alert protocols nationwide, including enhanced screening at airports, seaports and land borders, and strict infection control in all health facilities, urging health workers to maintain a high index of suspicion and promptly isolate suspected cases.
This comes following the confirmation of an imported Ebola case in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Federal Ministry of Health disclosed that the woman patient arrived from Uganda, developed symptoms on October 7 and tested positive on October 20, adding that 44 contacts have been identified.
