Ebola: No confirmed case in Bayelsa — Commissioner

The Bayelsa State Government has said no case of Ebola Virus Disease has been confirmed in the state, assuring residents that measures are being strengthened to prevent the possible spread of the disease.

The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, gave the assurance on Saturday during a press conference in Yenagoa on the state’s preparedness and response following the confirmation of an imported Ebola case in Abuja by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention on October 20, 2026.

Brisibe said the government had intensified disease surveillance, emergency coordination and public health awareness across the state’s eight local government areas to ensure the early detection and prompt management of any suspected case.

He said, “Let me state clearly that, as of this briefing, no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease has been reported in Bayelsa State.

“Nevertheless, we recognise the seriousness of this development and the need for proactive measures to protect our citizens.”

The commissioner said the state government, under Governor Douye Diri, was committed to safeguarding residents and had initiated measures to strengthen its preparedness and response capacity.

According to him, the measures include strengthening the State Emergency Operations Centre, intensifying surveillance in public and private health facilities, transport terminals and communities, and reviewing isolation and treatment arrangements.

He added that healthcare workers had been reminded to maintain strict infection prevention and control measures, including the appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

The commissioner also said the state was working closely with the NCDC, the World Health Organisation and other relevant partners to ensure that its preparedness measures aligned with established public health guidelines.

Brisibe urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, warning against the spread of rumours and unverified information about the disease.

“There is no reason for panic, but there is every reason for vigilance,” he said.

Explaining how the disease spreads, the commissioner said Ebola was a serious infectious disease transmitted primarily through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person or contaminated materials.

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He listed possible early symptoms as fever, severe headache, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, adding that bleeding could occur in some cases but was not always present.

He advised residents to maintain regular hand hygiene, avoid contact with the body fluids of suspected cases, and refrain from handling sick or dead wild animals or consuming bushmeat from such animals.

The commissioner also urged anyone who developed symptoms suggestive of Ebola, particularly after relevant travel or contact with a suspected or confirmed case, to seek prompt medical attention and disclose their travel or exposure history to healthcare providers.

He advised people who suspected exposure to contact the nearest health authority for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility, where possible.

Brisibe further warned against stigmatising people because of their travel history or suspected exposure, stressing that Ebola was not transmitted through ordinary casual contact with healthy individuals.

He said Bayelsa had gained valuable experience in managing public health emergencies, including COVID-19, cholera and mpox, adding that the government would build on those experiences to strengthen surveillance and rapid response systems.

“I have directed the relevant technical teams to maintain heightened vigilance and ensure that identified preparedness gaps are promptly addressed,” he said.

The commissioner called on healthcare professionals, traditional rulers, community leaders, religious organisations, transport operators and the media to support the state’s preparedness efforts.

He assured residents that the ministry would provide periodic updates as the situation evolved and pledged transparent communication with the public.

“Our message to every Bayelsan is simple: Stay calm, stay informed, remain vigilant and report suspected cases promptly,” Brisibe said.

He added that protecting public health was a shared responsibility and urged residents to rely on verified information from the Ministry of Health and the NCDC rather than unverified social media reports.