The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has placed the country on high alert and activated emergency response systems following the worsening Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, disclosed this in an emergency preparedness update issued on Saturday, warning that Nigeria faces a high risk of Ebola importation due to increased regional transmission and cross-border movement.
“The assessment estimated the risk of Ebola importation into Nigeria as high due to ongoing transmission in the DRC and Uganda, international travel and population movement,” Idris said.
Despite the heightened risk, the agency confirmed that no Ebola case linked to the current outbreak has been recorded in Nigeria.
The NCDC stated that the National Emergency Operations Centre has been placed on alert mode, while the National Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate rapid response efforts nationwide.
It added that Rapid Response Teams and epidemiologists have been placed on standby for immediate deployment to any part of the country where a suspected case may emerge.
According to the agency, surveillance has been intensified across airports, border communities, transport hubs, and health facilities to ensure early detection and containment of any potential infection.
To prevent hospital-based transmission, the NCDC said infection prevention and control tools have been distributed to health facilities, while healthcare workers are undergoing refresher training on case identification, triage, and safety protocols.
States have also been directed to designate isolation and treatment centres, assess bed capacity, strengthen referral systems, and stockpile essential medical supplies.
The agency further disclosed that laboratories nationwide have been placed on alert, with testing capacity already established in states with international entry points.
In addition, essential Ebola response materials, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and laboratory consumables, have been pre-positioned across the country.
Amid public concern, the NCDC said it has intensified risk communication and public awareness campaigns while taking steps to counter misinformation about the disease.
The agency urged Nigerians to maintain strict hygiene practices, avoid contact with body fluids of infected persons, and promptly report unusual illnesses or deaths.
Travellers from affected countries were advised to monitor their health for 21 days and report symptoms such as fever, vomiting, weakness, or unexplained bleeding.
The NCDC reassured the public that Ebola is not airborne and emphasized that preventive measures remain effective in curbing its spread.
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary,” Idris added.
