Public health experts are sounding an urgent alarm regarding the proliferation of misinformation surrounding the Ebola virus disease in Nigeria. During a recent webinar titled ‘Tracking Outbreaks: How Data and Facts Keep Us Safe from Ebola Rumours,’ hosted by Orodata Science, speakers emphasized that the rapid spread of false health claims poses a significant threat to national security and disease control. Experts warned that when unverified information circulates, it triggers widespread panic, causes unnecessary public fear, and encourages dangerous behaviors that can complicate the containment of infectious outbreaks.
Health educator Ayomide Alebiowu highlighted the critical need for digital literacy among Nigerians, urging citizens to verify any medical information before sharing it on social media or messaging platforms. He specifically cautioned against messages that lack credible sourcing, such as those beginning with vague claims like “a doctor said” or “my friend in the hospital said.” Alebiowu noted that such anonymous content is a major red flag and that the common practice of forwarding health advice simply because it says “share to save lives” is a primary driver of the “misinformation epidemic” that often moves faster than the virus itself.
Providing clinical context, Alebiowu noted that Ebola’s early symptoms—such as fever, headache, and muscle pain—are easily mistaken for common tropical ailments like malaria and typhoid. He strongly advised against the trend of self-medication, urging individuals to seek professional medical diagnosis at the first sign of illness. Furthermore, he clarified critical misconceptions about transmission, reiterating that Ebola is not airborne and cannot be spread by mosquitoes; rather, infection occurs through direct contact with the body fluids of an infected person. He directed the public to rely solely on official health guidance from institutions like the NCDC and the World Health Organization.
The webinar also featured insights from registered nurse Lilian Amaka, who spoke on the frontline challenges of countering health myths. She recalled the tragic consequences of disinformation during the 2014 outbreak, when widespread, scientifically baseless rumors—such as the claim that bathing in or drinking salt water could prevent Ebola—led to preventable deaths. Amaka expressed concern that healthcare workers continue to struggle against these persistent, home-remedy-based misconceptions, which undermine years of progress in clinical screening, temperature monitoring, and lab testing protocols implemented in Nigerian hospitals.
Reflecting on the progress made since 2014, when Nigeria successfully contained the virus through rigorous surveillance and contact tracing, the experts noted that the country’s emergency response capacity has significantly strengthened. While no system is perfect, Alebiowu estimated that the nation is now over 60 percent prepared for potential outbreaks. This success is anchored in the country’s ability to coordinate large-scale contact tracing and laboratory testing, a strategy that is now internationally recognized as a gold standard in African public health containment efforts.
Ultimately, the consensus among the participants was that vigilance must be balanced with responsibility. The experts stressed that the country’s strongest defense against Ebola and future infectious threats lies in the hands of informed citizens who prioritize facts over fear. By discarding anonymous health tips, reporting false claims to the relevant authorities, and adhering strictly to guidance from recognized medical institutions, Nigerians can prevent the chaos that accompanies disease outbreaks and ensure that the nation remains resilient in the face of health crises.
