– Abuja, Nigeria
The Nigerian Association of Animal Health and Husbandry Technologists (NAAHHT) has called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and adopt preventive measures against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), stressing the need for collective action to safeguard public health and prevent potential outbreaks.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Association’s 42nd National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on June 19, 2026, at the headquarters of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) in Abuja.
According to the Association, the meeting focused on key issues affecting animal health, livestock development, food security, and public health. The NEC expressed concern over emerging public health threats associated with Ebola Virus Disease and emphasized the importance of prevention, preparedness, and public awareness.
NAAHHT described Ebola as a severe and often fatal disease that affects humans and certain animal species, noting that transmission occurs through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, tissues, or contaminated materials.
The Association highlighted the importance of the One Health Approach, which encourages collaboration among animal health professionals, veterinarians, medical practitioners, environmental experts, and public health stakeholders in combating zoonotic diseases.
As part of its public health advisory, NAAHHT urged Nigerians to maintain proper hand hygiene, avoid contact with sick animals and infected persons, ensure thorough cooking of meat and animal products, and promptly report unusual illnesses or deaths in animals to relevant authorities.
The Association also advised members of the public to seek immediate medical attention when symptoms such as sudden fever, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea, or unexplained bleeding occur. It further cautioned against the spread of unverified information capable of creating panic within communities.
Speaking through the communiqué, the NEC reaffirmed the strategic role of Animal Health and Husbandry Technologists in disease surveillance, zoonotic disease prevention, livestock health management, food safety, and emergency preparedness.
NAAHHT encouraged its members nationwide to strengthen disease reporting systems and work closely with veterinary and public health authorities to protect both livestock resources and human populations.
The Council further resolved that future meetings of the Association would continue to feature public health enlightenment and national development discussions as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives.
The Association called on government agencies, development partners, livestock industry stakeholders, and the general public to support integrated disease surveillance and response systems in line with international best practices.
The communiqué was signed by the NAAHHT General Secretary, Dauda A. S. Yahaya, and the National President, Kazeem A. Akingboye, on behalf of the National Executive Council.
