NCDC Urges Nigerians To Celebrate Safely
As Nigerians travel, feast and gather to celebrate the yuletide, public health authorities are sounding a timely warning: the festive season, while joyful, comes with heightened disease risks if caution is thrown to the wind.
In a public health advisory issued on 23 December 2025, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) urged citizens to prioritise health and safety amid increased movement, large gatherings and food sharing, especially during the dry season.
According to the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, key health threats during this period include Lassa fever, cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM), diarrhoeal and foodborne diseases, as well as the growing danger of antimicrobial resistance driven by antibiotic misuse.
The agency warned that Lassa fever, transmitted through contact with food or items contaminated by rat urine or faeces, remains a serious concern.
Nigerians were advised to store food properly, keep their surroundings clean, avoid bush burning, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or bleeding occur.
Meningitis, which thrives during the dry season, also poses a significant risk.
The NCDC encouraged the public to avoid overcrowded spaces, ensure good ventilation, watch out for symptoms like neck stiffness and fever, and ensure vaccinations are up to date, especially in high-risk areas.
On food safety, the agency cautioned that poor hygiene and improper storage can lead to diarrhoeal illnesses, urging regular handwashing, thorough cooking of food, safe water consumption and avoidance of food left out for long periods.
Dr Idris also raised the alarm over antimicrobial resistance, stressing that antibiotics should never be used without prescription and do not treat viral infections such as colds, flu or Lassa fever.
Misuse, he noted, makes common infections harder and more expensive to treat.
The NCDC reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring disease trends nationwide, supporting state responses and maintaining emergency systems throughout the festive season.
Nigerians feeling unwell or suspecting an outbreak were urged to call the NCDC toll-free line: 6232, or report to the nearest health facility.
As celebrations peak, the message is clear: responsible choices today can prevent avoidable illness tomorrow.
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