The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has heightened surveillance and emergency preparedness measures nationwide following the resurgence of Ebola Virus Disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the confirmation of an imported case in neighbouring Uganda.
The agency, however, reassured Nigerians that no Ebola case has been recorded in the country at this time.
“Nigeria currently has no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease,” Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, said in a public health advisory issued on Sunday.
The move comes amid growing concern across Africa after Congo confirmed a fresh Ebola outbreak in the conflict-ridden eastern Ituri Province, where dozens of deaths and hundreds of suspected infections have already been reported.
Uganda also confirmed an imported Ebola case linked to the Congolese outbreak, raising fears of wider regional transmission due to increased cross-border movement within East and Central Africa.
Nigeria Strengthens Preparedness Measures
Dr Idris said the NCDC was closely monitoring the evolving situation and working with the Federal Ministry of Health’s Port Health Services and other agencies to prevent any possible importation of the virus into Nigeria.
According to him, health authorities in the affected countries have already activated emergency response systems, including:
- Enhanced disease surveillance
- Laboratory testing
- Contact tracing
- Infection prevention and control measures
- Risk communication campaigns
- Isolation and case management protocols
“NCDC is closely monitoring the situation and working with relevant stakeholders, including the Port Health Services, to ensure continued vigilance and preparedness within the public health system,” he stated.
The agency noted that Nigeria’s disease monitoring systems for Ebola and other epidemic-prone illnesses remain active across the country.
Public Urged to Remain Calm
The NCDC advised Nigerians not to panic or spread false information about the outbreak.
“Members of the public should remain calm and avoid spreading misinformation,” Idris said.
Citizens were encouraged to observe preventive health measures, including:
- Frequent hand washing
- Avoiding contact with bodily fluids of sick persons
- Avoiding dead animals and unsafe bushmeat
- Promptly reporting unusual illnesses to health authorities
The agency also urged Nigerians to rely only on verified information from official public health institutions.
Health Workers Placed on Alert
Healthcare professionals across Nigeria have been advised to maintain a high level of suspicion for Ebola symptoms, especially in patients with recent travel history to affected countries.
The NCDC stressed the importance of strict infection prevention measures, including early isolation of suspected cases, proper use of personal protective equipment and immediate reporting through official emergency channels.
Lessons From Nigeria’s 2014 Ebola Response
Nigeria is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most successful examples of Ebola containment after swiftly controlling an outbreak in 2014 triggered by an infected traveller from Liberia.
Through aggressive contact tracing, rapid emergency coordination and public health intervention, the country succeeded in preventing a nationwide crisis.
The experience led to major investments in laboratory systems, emergency preparedness and disease surveillance infrastructure, significantly strengthening Nigeria’s epidemic response capacity.
Regional Concerns Grow
The latest Ebola outbreak in Congo has already spread into Uganda, while neighbouring countries including Kenya have also intensified border screening and preparedness efforts.
Health experts warn that ongoing insecurity, displacement and weak healthcare infrastructure in parts of eastern Congo could complicate efforts to contain the virus.
Ebola remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, spreading through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and causing severe fever, bleeding and organ failure in many patients.
The NCDC said it would continue to monitor developments and provide updates as the regional health situation evolves.
