The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has called for increased public awareness and strict compliance with Ebola prevention measures, warning that an outbreak could disrupt businesses and threaten economic stability in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
On Tuesday, the federal government confirmed a case of Ebola Virus Disease in the FCT, involving a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, who disclosed this, said the patient was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed.
He added that the woman has been isolated and is currently receiving medical care, while public health authorities have activated emergency response measures to contain the virus, noting that 44 close contacts have been identified.
In a public advisory signed by ACCI Media & Strategy Officer, Olayemi John-Mensah and issued on Thursday, the Director-General of ACCI, Agabaidu Jideani, urged businesses, workers and residents of the FCT to prioritise hygiene, remain vigilant and promptly report suspected cases through official public health channels.
Mr Jideani said disease outbreaks have consequences beyond the health sector, including disruption of commercial activities, trade, workforce productivity, supply chains and livelihoods.
He noted that any development capable of distracting the business community or interrupting economic activities could adversely affect the wider economy, making preventive action and public cooperation imperative.
As part of the preventive measures, he urged members of the public to avoid direct contact with the blood and body fluids of suspected or confirmed Ebola cases, maintain regular handwashing with soap and water or use alcohol-based sanitisers, and avoid handling bats, monkeys and other potentially infected wild animals.
He advised the public to seek guidance from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) through its official channels when Ebola is suspected, rather than visiting a health facility without prior instruction.
According to him, this would help ensure that suspected cases are managed appropriately and reduce the risk of further transmission.
Mr Jideani also urged ACCI staff to remain cautious, observe appropriate hygiene practices and comply strictly with relevant public health guidelines issued by competent authorities.
He said workplace vigilance and responsible conduct are necessary to protect employees, business visitors and the wider Chamber community.
Speaking on the broader implications for the private sector, he reiterated that public health protection is a shared responsibility requiring accurate information, responsible communication and coordinated action.
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He encouraged businesses to promote awareness among employees, reinforce hygiene practices in their workplaces and rely on credible official sources for information on Ebola prevention.
“As the leading voice of the business community in the FCT, ACCI reaffirmed its commitment to promoting a safe and resilient business environment in which enterprises can operate without avoidable disruptions,” he said.
Nigeria recorded an Ebola outbreak in 2014 after an infected traveller from Liberia arrived in Lagos. The World Health Organisation (WHO) later declared Nigeria free of Ebola transmission on 20 October 2014, after 42 days without a new case.
WHO records show that the 2014 response involved rapid case detection, isolation and extensive contact tracing, with 19 confirmed cases, one probable case and eight deaths.
The latest case in Abuja comes amid an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the DRC, where the disease has spread across several provinces.
