The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria) has issued an urgent nationwide alert to pharmacists and community pharmacies following renewed Ebola outbreaks reported in parts of Central and East Africa.
In a safety advisory released on Saturday, PSN President Ayuba Ibrahim Tanko directed healthcare professionals across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to immediately strengthen disease surveillance, infection prevention practices, and emergency response procedures.
Although Nigeria’s health authorities have confirmed that no case has been recorded in the country, the society warned that pharmacies often serve as the first point of contact for individuals experiencing early symptoms, placing pharmacists in a critical frontline position for early detection and response.
Heightened Surveillance for Symptoms and Travel History
The advisory instructed pharmacists to closely monitor clients presenting symptoms consistent with Ebola virus disease, including sudden fever, severe weakness, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, skin rash, and unexplained bleeding.
It further directed pharmacy staff to inquire about recent travel to affected regions or possible contact with travellers within the past 21 days, in line with standard incubation monitoring protocols.
Reinforced Infection Control Measures
To reduce potential risks, PSN ordered immediate reinforcement of infection prevention protocols in all pharmacies nationwide. These include the provision of handwashing stations and sanitizers at entry points, mandatory use of gloves and face masks by frontline staff, and frequent disinfection of high-contact surfaces such as counters, doors, and payment terminals.
The society also advised suspension of non-essential invasive procedures, including blood prick tests for patients presenting with unexplained fever, as a precautionary measure.
Warning Against Self-Medication and Misinformation
The PSN cautioned against indiscriminate use of antibiotics and antimalarial drugs for undiagnosed persistent fever, stressing that improper self-medication could delay accurate diagnosis and treatment.
It also raised concerns over the circulation of unverified remedies, herbal treatments, and online claims purporting to cure Ebola, urging the public to disregard such information and seek care only at accredited health facilities.
Emergency Response Protocol
Under the updated guidelines, any suspected Ebola case identified in a pharmacy must be immediately isolated, while relevant health authorities and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) are to be contacted without delay.
Pharmacists were further warned not to encourage suspected patients to use public transport when seeking further medical attention, in order to limit potential community exposure.
Background
Nigeria previously successfully contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014 through rapid response and coordinated public health measures, a case widely regarded as a model for outbreak control in the region.
Health experts note that continued vigilance, early reporting, and strict adherence to infection control protocols remain essential to preventing any re-emergence of the disease in the country.