Warns West Africans against contact with body fluids, bushmeat
The West African Health Organisation (WAHO) has intensified disease surveillance across the region following confirmation of an imported Ebola virus disease case in Abuja, urging governments and residents to strengthen preventive measures against possible cross-border transmission.
The regional health agency said it was working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Nigerian health authorities and other regional surveillance bodies to monitor the situation and coordinate an effective response.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire, WAHO disclosed that the Ebola case was confirmed through laboratory testing on October 20, 2026.
According to the organisation, the patient, a woman who had recently arrived from Uganda, developed symptoms on October 7 and subsequently received treatment at a private health facility in Abuja on October 11.
The confirmation has prompted increased vigilance among regional health authorities amid concerns about the potential spread of infectious diseases across national borders.
WAHO said it remained fully mobilised to support member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in strengthening disease surveillance, preparedness and emergency response.
As part of its regional coordination efforts, the organisation disclosed that it held a briefing on October 21 with directors of the National Public Health Institutes of ECOWAS member states to discuss the situation and reinforce preparedness.
It stressed that early detection, prompt reporting of suspected cases and effective coordination among health authorities were essential to preventing and controlling epidemic-prone diseases.
The organisation urged residents across West Africa to remain vigilant and observe recommended public health precautions.
It advised the public to wash their hands frequently with clean water and soap or use alcohol-based hand sanitisers to reduce the risk of infection.
WAHO also warned against direct contact with the blood and other bodily fluids of sick or deceased persons, including vomit, faeces, urine, saliva and sweat.
The public was further advised to avoid touching the clothing, bedding and personal belongings of suspected or confirmed cases.
On burial practices, the organisation cautioned against handling the bodies of people who died from suspected causes, urging communities to allow trained teams to conduct safe and dignified burials.
WAHO also raised concerns about possible exposure through infected animals, advising residents not to handle sick or dead wildlife, particularly bats and primates.
It urged the public to avoid handling or consuming bushmeat and to ensure that meat is thoroughly cooked before consumption.
The organisation further advised anyone experiencing symptoms associated with Ebola, including sudden fever, severe fatigue, body aches, vomiting, diarrhoea or bleeding, to seek immediate assistance from a health facility.
It also recommended avoiding non-essential travel to affected areas and following official health guidelines where travel could not be avoided.
To prevent unnecessary panic, WAHO urged residents to rely on information from recognised health authorities and refrain from spreading rumours or unverified reports about the outbreak.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to working with the ministries of health of ECOWAS member states, technical partners and financial institutions to strengthen regional health security.
It said the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control, a specialised WAHO agency based in Abuja, would continue monitoring developments and communicate relevant information in coordination with the appropriate health authorities.
The development underscores the importance of cross-border cooperation in responding to infectious disease threats, particularly as people travel between countries for business, work and other activities.
WAHO maintained that effective surveillance, rapid reporting and coordinated public health interventions remained critical to containing outbreaks and protecting populations across West Africa.
