The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) stated on Saturday that the country has increased nationwide surveillance and emergency preparedness measures against Ebola Virus Disease in response to the expanding outbreak in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a new public health advisory issued on Sunday by the NCDC’s Director-General, Jide Idris, the agency stated that Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed cases related to the ongoing regional outbreak, but warned that the risk of importation remains high due to international travel, population movement, and the scale of transmission in affected Eastern African countries.
The government stated that its most recent risk assessment identified border communities, major transportation hubs, and international points of entry as high-risk regions that require increased monitoring.
“This assessment estimated the risk of Ebola importation into Nigeria as high due to the ongoing transmission in the DRC and Uganda, international travel and population movement, uncertainty regarding the full magnitude of the outbreak, and the potential for delayed recognition because symptoms may overlap with endemic diseases such as malaria and Lassa fever,” the advisory stated.
According to the NCDC, the National Emergency Operations Centre has been placed on notice, and the National Incident Management System has been activated with clear reporting and escalation avenues to coordinate response actions across the country.
According to the government, epidemiologists and Rapid Response Teams have been placed on standby to be deployed to any state if necessary.
As part of its efforts to boost national preparation, the public health agency announced that it is strengthening collaboration with state ministries of health, port health services, and other relevant government agencies.
The government also noted that surveillance and epidemic intelligence activities have been stepped up across the country, including increased monitoring of anomalous public health events, rumours, and alerts to ensure early detection of suspected cases.
“Enhanced surveillance activities are also ongoing at points of entry and border communities,” it added.
As part of infection prevention efforts, the NCDC stated that Ebola preparedness tools and checklists have been distributed to healthcare facilities across the country, and that health workers are receiving refresher training on triage systems, infection prevention protocols, and early detection of suspected viral hemorrhagic fever cases.
The agency also encouraged states to establish isolation and treatment centers, check bed capacity, strengthen logistics systems, and guarantee emergency medical supplies are available.
It stated that arrangements are being made to place vital response materials such as personal protective equipment, body bags, laboratory consumables, and other emergency supplies in strategic areas across the country.
Regarding laboratory preparedness, the NCDC said that Nigeria presently maintains testing capabilities in states with international ports of entry as well as within the national public health laboratory network and that surge capacity for Ebola testing is available if necessary.
The agency also warned against false information, saying it has increased public awareness programs and created “Ebola Myths and Facts” materials to counter misleading claims circulating online.
Ebola Virus Disease is a serious and frequently fatal infection that spreads through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, secretions, or contaminated items.
The symptoms include fever, weakness, headache, and muscle soreness. According to health professionals, the sickness is not transmitted through the air.
The current regional concern follows the ongoing Ebola outbreaks in Central and East Africa, particularly in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where health officials are still dealing with reoccurring viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks despite cross-border movement and poor health systems.
