The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has urged pharmacists and operators of pharmacy facilities across the country to heighten surveillance and strengthen infection prevention measures following recent outbreaks of Ebola Virus Disease in parts of Central and East Africa.

The society said although Nigeria has not recorded any case of Ebola, pharmacists must remain on high alert because community pharmacies are often the first point of contact for sick individuals seeking treatment.

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The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, had confirmed that there were currently no cases of Ebola in Nigeria.

In an advisory released on Saturday and signed by the president of PSN, Ayuba Tanko, the body called on community pharmacies and institutional pharmacy departments to immediately strengthen national biosecurity measures to prevent any possible outbreak.

The PSN noted that pharmacists in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory must maintain a high index of suspicion for patients presenting symptoms associated with Ebola, especially those with recent travel history to affected countries in East and Central Africa.

According to the advisory, the incubation period for the disease ranges from two to 21 days, while infected persons only become contagious after symptoms appear.

It identified early symptoms as sudden high fever, severe fatigue, muscle and joint pains, headaches and sore throat, while advanced symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, skin rashes, impaired kidney and liver function, and bleeding from body openings.

The society directed pharmacists to routinely ask patients with sudden fever about recent international travel or possible contact with travellers from affected regions within the previous 21 days.

The PSN also ordered the immediate restoration of hand hygiene stations in pharmacies nationwide, stressing that handwashing points with soap and running water or alcohol-based sanitisers containing at least 70 per cent alcohol should be positioned at pharmacy entrances.

It further urged pharmacists and dispensing assistants to wear personal protective equipment, including masks and disposable gloves, when attending to patients showing signs of respiratory or systemic illness.

The society advised operators of pharmacies to intensify disinfection of high-contact surfaces such as counters, payment terminals, door handles and consulting areas using bleach solutions or alcohol-based disinfectants.

The PSN also cautioned against conducting non-essential invasive point-of-care tests such as blood glucose checks and malaria rapid diagnostic tests for patients with unexplained fever in order to minimise possible blood-borne exposure.

On self-medication, the society warned pharmacists against the indiscriminate dispensing of antimalarial drugs and antibiotics for unexplained fever cases that fail to respond to standard treatment or are accompanied by severe gastrointestinal symptoms.

It also urged pharmacists to counter misinformation and false claims surrounding herbal cures, saltwater baths and other unverified remedies for Ebola, insisting that early supportive treatment in designated health facilities significantly improves survival chances.

The PSN outlined emergency response steps for suspected Ebola cases presenting at pharmacies, directing pharmacists to immediately isolate such individuals in low-traffic areas while maintaining a safe distance.

It warned pharmacy personnel against direct contact with bodily fluids such as blood, vomit or sweat without specialised protective equipment.

The society instructed pharmacists to immediately contact the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) through its toll-free emergency line, 6232, or notify state epidemiology units and Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers.

It added that suspected patients should remain isolated until trained emergency response teams arrive for safe evacuation to designated isolation centres, warning against the use of public transport for such movement.

The PSN said the vigilance and professionalism of pharmacists and other healthcare workers would play a critical role in preventing any possible outbreak in Nigeria. (The Sun)

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