Simon Health Initiative (SHIAfrica) has called on the Federal Government and relevant health authorities to intensify efforts to prevent the further spread of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria.

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‎The organisation made the call in a statement dated October 20, 2026, following reports of an imported Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, with 44 contacts reportedly being monitored by health authorities.

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‎SHIAfrica said the development required heightened surveillance, coordinated public health action and sustained public cooperation. It noted that it had been monitoring Ebola developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda while supporting public awareness campaigns and amplifying advisories from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

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‎The organisation recalled Nigeria’s experience during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, when an infected traveller arrived in Lagos from Liberia. It said aggressive contact tracing, rapid emergency response, coordinated government action and the commitment of frontline health workers helped contain the outbreak. The World Health Organisation subsequently declared Nigeria Ebola-free after 42 days without new cases.

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‎SHIAfrica also paid tribute to healthcare professionals who contributed to the containment effort, particularly Dr Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, whose insistence on isolating the index patient helped prevent further transmission. The organisation said her sacrifice, alongside the efforts of doctors, nurses, epidemiologists, laboratory scientists and contact tracers, remained a reminder of the importance of professionalism and coordinated action during public health emergencies.

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‎The organisation’s Founder and Executive Director, Iyanuoluwa Bolarinwa, said Nigeria must act early to prevent the reported case from developing into a wider public health emergency. Bolarinwa stressed the need to strengthen surveillance, support frontline health workers, expand public education and ensure that all levels of government were prepared to respond.

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‎SHIAfrica urged the Federal Government, NCDC, state governments, healthcare institutions and development partners to intensify contact tracing, strengthen surveillance at airports, land borders, seaports and health facilities, and provide healthcare workers with adequate protective equipment, training and support.

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‎It also called for stronger laboratory testing and isolation capacity, regular and transparent public updates, expanded community awareness campaigns and improved coordination among federal, state and local health authorities. The organisation said these measures were necessary to improve preparedness and prevent further transmission.

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‎SHIAfrica further urged Nigerians to remain calm, avoid spreading misinformation, rely on verified information from health authorities and cooperate with public health measures. It reaffirmed its commitment to providing evidence-based health education and supporting public awareness efforts throughout the situation.

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‎The organisation said the confirmation of a single case should not cause panic but should prompt decisive action, adding that effective leadership, coordination and collective vigilance would be essential to protecting public health.