The chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Kwara State, Dr Suleiman Rotimi, has urged residents to start observing the preventive measures adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent the spread of Ebola in the state.

He said the need for people to adopt preventive measures became necessary following the confirmation of the first case of Ebola in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Rotimi gave the piece of advice during an interview with LEADERSHIP Friday in Ilorin.

"Most of the things that we did during COVID, we have to start doing them too. Handwashing, use of face masks, and social and physical distancing.

"We should also have a high index of suspicion," he advised.

Rotimi said relevant agencies had already swung into action to contain the disease in Kwara.

He commended the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Kwara Ministry of Health, and the epidemiology team overseeing the outbreak for rolling out activities.

Rotimi called on agencies at points of entry to Kwara to strengthen surveillance, especially for travellers coming from countries with confirmed cases.

He noted that Kwara is a border state and requires extra vigilance, while calling on the agencies involved, including border agencies, to institute measures, especially for people coming from areas with confirmed cases.

Rotimi expressed confidence in the state's capacity to contain the disease, recalling its performance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Kwara usually does well, and during COVID-19, we were one of the best. So I have no doubt that Kwara will be able to curtail this virus from getting into the state," he said.