HURIWA  Raises Alarm Over Ebola Threat in Africa, Demands Urgent Preparedness Measures

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to immediately activate a comprehensive national emergency preparedness framework in response to growing concerns over a possible resurgence of Ebola across parts of Africa.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group expressed concern over warnings by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention regarding increasing risks of Ebola transmission in several African countries.

According to HURIWA, at least 10 African countries have been identified as being at risk of Ebola transmission due to ongoing outbreaks in Central and East Africa.

The countries listed include Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Zambia.

The association noted that the risk was heightened by factors such as porous borders, increased cross-border movement, insecurity and weak health infrastructure in some countries.

HURIWA also referenced previous warnings by the World Health Organization, which classified the Ebola outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern because of its high fatality rate and rapid transmission potential.

The group warned that Nigeria could face serious consequences if proactive measures are not urgently implemented, stressing that the country’s large population and border activities make it particularly vulnerable.

HURIWA expressed dissatisfaction over what it described as the absence of a visible and coordinated national preparedness strategy comparable to the response mechanisms adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group said there was inadequate public information regarding the readiness of isolation centres, border surveillance systems, emergency response teams and public enlightenment campaigns.

It therefore urged the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, to immediately activate a National Ebola Prevention and Preparedness Framework in collaboration with state governments.

Among its recommendations were the activation of emergency response structures in all states, intensified screening at airports and land borders, nationwide public sensitisation campaigns in multiple languages, improved healthcare preparedness and regular public briefings to prevent panic and misinformation.

HURIWA further called for adequate protection, training and welfare support for frontline health workers to prevent hospital-based transmission in the event of an outbreak.

Describing Ebola as not only a public health concern but also a national security and economic threat, the group warned that delays in response could have devastating implications for the country.

“The lessons of past outbreaks are clear: early detection, rapid communication and aggressive containment save lives. Delay, denial and silence cost lives,” the statement said.

The association urged federal and state authorities, health agencies and border institutions to move from what it described as passive observation to active prevention measures before any local outbreak occurs.