Mirian Gom 
LAGOS, Nigeria – Public health experts have warned that Ebola misinformation poses a growing threat to disease control efforts in Nigeria, urging the public to rely on verified health information rather than rumours circulating on social media and messaging platforms.
The warning comes during the monthly X-Space webinar organised by Orodata Science and monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). The webinar, titled Tracking Outbreak: How Data and Facts Keep Us Safe from Ebola Rumours, focuses on the role of accurate information in preventing fear and improving public health responses during infectious disease outbreaks.
Health educator Ayomide Alebiowu describes misinformation as one of the biggest challenges during disease outbreaks because it spreads faster than verified information and often triggers unnecessary panic and harmful behaviour.
“Before you forward a message, verify its authenticity from the right sources and report any misinformation. People should always share information that has an identifiable source,” he says.
Alebiowu advises Nigerians to treat anonymous messages beginning with phrases such as “a doctor said” or “my friend working in a hospital said” with caution.
“If a message has no identifiable source, that is a red flag. When a message says, ‘share to save lives’, stop first and verify it. Never circulate information simply because someone forwarded it.”
Alebiowu also urges Nigerians not to mistake Ebola’s early symptoms—fever, headache, sore throat, muscle pain and weakness—for malaria or typhoid fever.
“Immediately you notice the first signs, go and get checked. Do not assume it is malaria and begin self-medication.”
Registered nurse Lilian Amaka says healthcare workers continue to battle the consequences of Ebola misinformation, recalling how false claims during the 2014 outbreak led some Nigerians to drink or bathe in salt water after rumours suggested it could prevent infection.
“The greatest challenge is helping people distinguish facts from rumours. People must verify information before sharing it,” she says.
She also warns against home remedies promoted online without scientific evidence or endorsement from recognised health authorities.
“We monitored almost 900 contacts across three states and recorded only about 20 confirmed cases. That shows the level of work that went into containing the outbreak.”
“I won’t say Nigeria is 100 per cent ready. I will say we are above 60 per cent prepared and on alert.”
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Korede Abdullah 
