Nigerian health authorities have stepped up Ebola surveillance and preparedness across the country after the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported a fresh outbreak and Uganda confirmed an imported case linked to that flare‑up. In a public health advisory issued on Sunday, NCDC Director‑General Jide Idris stressed that, despite heightened vigilance, Nigeria presently has no confirmed Ebola case.
Idris outlined the response framework being applied in the affected regions, noting that national and international partners have activated emergency measures that include intensified case finding, laboratory testing, infection‑prevention protocols, contact tracing and risk‑communication activities. He said the NCDC is closely monitoring the situation, working with the Federal Ministry of Health’s Port Health Services and other stakeholders to reinforce readiness within Nigeria’s public‑health system.
The agency described Ebola virus disease as a severe illness transmitted through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, secretions or contaminated objects of infected humans or animals. The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days, and early symptoms can include fever, weakness, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhoea, progressing in some cases to unexplained bleeding.
To safeguard the population, the NCDC urged Nigerians to practice regular hand hygiene, avoid contact with bodily fluids of sick individuals, and refrain from handling dead animals or bushmeat of unknown origin. The public is also asked to report any unusual illness promptly to the nearest health facility and to rely exclusively on information from official health authorities. Idris cautioned against the spread of misinformation, emphasizing that calm, factual communication is essential.
Health‑care workers were reminded to maintain a high index of suspicion for Ebola in patients who present compatible symptoms together with relevant travel or exposure histories. They were also instructed to follow strict infection‑prevention and control measures, including early identification and isolation of suspected cases, proper use of personal protective equipment, rigorous hand hygiene and immediate reporting through established channels.
Nigeria’s experience with Ebola dates back to 2014, when a traveller from Liberia arrived in Lagos and triggered the country’s first outbreak. Rapid emergency response, aggressive contact tracing and coordinated public‑health actions contained the virus within months. That episode prompted substantial investments in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and laboratory capacity, positioning Nigeria as a regional hub for epidemic response.
Idris affirmed that the NCDC will continue to monitor developments in the DRC and neighbouring countries and will provide updates as needed. The agency’s proactive stance reflects broader efforts across West Africa to prevent cross‑border transmission of high‑risk pathogens and to strengthen health‑system resilience in the face of emerging threats.
