Nigeria has heightened surveillance and emergency preparedness measures following the confirmation of an imported case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Uganda linked to the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said although no case has been recorded in the country, authorities are closely monitoring developments across the region amid growing cross-border movement.
In a public health advisory issued on Saturday, the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, said the agency was working with the Port Health Service and other stakeholders to strengthen vigilance within Nigeria’s health system.
The agency noted that health authorities in Uganda and the DRC, with support from international partners, had activated emergency response measures including surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, contact tracing and public awareness campaigns.
Ebola is a severe viral illness transmitted through direct contact with infected blood, bodily fluids or contaminated materials. Symptoms include fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, while severe cases may involve unexplained bleeding. The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days.
The NCDC said it had intensified event-based surveillance nationwide while sustaining preparedness for Ebola and other epidemic-prone diseases. Measures currently underway include improving laboratory readiness, reinforcing infection prevention and control protocols in health facilities, and expanding community engagement activities.
The agency urged Nigerians to remain calm, avoid spreading misinformation and maintain proper hygiene practices, especially regular handwashing. It also advised the public to avoid contact with bodily fluids of sick persons and refrain from handling dead animals or bushmeat from unknown sources.
Healthcare workers were advised to maintain a high level of suspicion for possible Ebola cases, particularly among patients with compatible symptoms and relevant travel history.
The NCDC further directed health personnel to strictly comply with infection prevention measures, including early isolation of suspected cases, proper use of personal protective equipment and prompt reporting through established surveillance channels.
The agency assured the public that it would continue to monitor the outbreak and provide updates as the situation evolves.
