The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Kaduna State Branch, has urged political parties to adopt virtual campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections to limit physical contact amid the Ebola outbreak.
The association’s Kaduna State Chairman, Mr Turman Benjamin, made the recommendation on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.
Benjamin suggested that political parties use social media, text messages, telephone calls and virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet instead of organising physical rallies. He said the approach would reduce unnecessary contact and limit potential exposure while health authorities work to contain the outbreak.
He also called on the Kaduna State Government to strengthen public awareness campaigns, trace contacts associated with the confirmed case and provide healthcare workers with adequate protective equipment.
The medical laboratory scientist advised residents to avoid unnecessary physical contact, including handshakes and hugs, while maintaining proper hygiene.
He explained that Ebola can spread through direct contact with the blood and other bodily fluids of infected individuals. He further warned against handling the bodies of suspected or confirmed Ebola victims without appropriate training and protective equipment.
According to Benjamin, only trained and properly equipped personnel should handle such bodies during burial preparations to minimise the risk of infection. He urged the government to ensure hospitals have sufficient personal protective equipment, including gloves and other essential protective gear.
Benjamin also stressed the importance of laboratory testing in confirming Ebola infections, noting that early symptoms may resemble those of other illnesses, including malaria and typhoid fever.
He advised the public to exercise caution when handling or consuming wild animals that may carry infectious diseases. He also called on media organisations to intensify public education on Ebola transmission, preventive measures and the need to seek prompt medical attention when symptoms develop.
The association chairman urged healthcare workers and residents to remain vigilant, emphasising the importance of early detection and effective infection prevention practices.
NAN reports that the Federal Government has confirmed one Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, with 44 close contacts identified for monitoring to prevent further transmission.
The patient, a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the infection was confirmed.
She has since been isolated and is receiving medical care, while health authorities have begun contact tracing to identify and monitor individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.
Source: Vanguard
