28/09/2026
EBOLA IS IN THE NEWS: WHAT SHOULD NIGERIAN FAMILIES KNOW?
You may have recently seen reports about an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Before you panic, here is what Nigerian families should know:
what is Ebola?
Ebola virus disease is a serious infectious disease that can cause severe illness and death.
It is mainly spread through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person or someone who has died from the disease.
What symptoms should you know?
Early symptoms may include:
• Fever
• Severe weakness and fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
As the illness progresses, some people may develop vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and, in some cases, bleeding.
⚠️ These symptoms can occur with many other illnesses, including common infections. Having a fever does NOT mean someone has Ebola.
What should families do?
✅ Practise regular hand hygiene.
✅ Avoid direct contact with the blood or body fluids of someone who is seriously ill.
✅ Do not handle the body of someone who has died from a suspected infectious disease without appropriate guidance and protection.
✅ If you have travelled to an affected area and subsequently develop concerning symptoms, seek medical attention and tell the healthcare worker about your travel history.
✅ Follow information from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and other public-health authorities rather than relying on social-media rumours.
Most importantly, don’t panic. Stay informed.
At Desired Family Health Foundation, our goal is not only to talk about diseases when they become headline news.
We want Nigerian families to have practical health information that can help them prevent illness, recognize danger signs early and know when to seek care.
Your family’s health should not depend on what is trending.
Stay informed. Stay prepared. Stay healthy.