The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has warned Nigerians against relying on bitter kola, salt water, herbs, seasoning cubes, and other unverified substances as remedies for Ebola virus disease (EVD).
In a public health advisory obtained by TheCable, the agency
cautioned that the spread of false claims and homemade remedies could worsen
panic and undermine public health response efforts amid renewed concerns over
Ebola outbreaks in parts of sub-Saharan Africa.
The advisory, titled ‘Ebola Virus Disease (EVD): Myths vs
Facts’, was issued to counter growing misinformation circulating online
following recent cases recorded in countries including the Democratic Republic
of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
Although Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed Ebola case,
the agency said the country remains on alert because of increased cross-border
movement and international travel linked to affected regions.
Responding to claims on social media suggesting that
substances such as salt water, bitter kola, herbs and seasoning cubes can
prevent or cure Ebola, the NCDC noted that such remedies have no scientific
basis.
“There is currently no approved home remedy for Ebola virus
disease. Early reporting, supportive medical care, and strict infection
prevention and control measures are critical. Avoid self-medication and seek
care promptly if symptoms develop,” the agency said.
The NCDC also warned Nigerians against spreading unverified
health claims, noting that misinformation could trigger confusion and weaken
public trust during disease outbreaks.
“Sharing unverified information can create panic and
confusion. Members of the public are advised to rely only on updates from
official public health authorities and credible sources,” the advisory added.
The agency urged Nigerians to remain calm but vigilant,
insisting that preventive awareness and responsible public behaviour remain
essential despite the absence of any confirmed Ebola case in the country.
“Although no case has been confirmed in Nigeria, outbreaks
in the region require vigilance, preparedness, and responsible public health
behaviour to reduce the risk of importation and transmission,” the agency said.
The warning comes days after the NCDC raised concerns over
the possibility of Ebola importation into Nigeria due to the continuing
outbreak in parts of Central and East Africa.
Jide Idris, director-general of the NCDC, said the agency’s
latest assessment showed that Nigeria faces a high risk of exposure because of
population movement and the difficulty of detecting Ebola symptoms in the early
stages.
“This assessment estimated the risk of Ebola importation
into Nigeria as high due to the ongoing transmission in the DRC and Uganda,
international travel and population movement, uncertainty regarding the full
magnitude of the outbreak, and the potential for delayed recognition because
symptoms may overlap with endemic diseases such as malaria and Lassa fever,”
Idris said.
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