Despite growing concerns over the resurgence of the deadly virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a reported imported case in neighbouring Uganda, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reassured citizens that no Ebola case has been confirmed within the country.
In a public health advisory issued on Sunday and signed by the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, the agency said it had activated heightened preparedness protocols across the country to guard against any possible importation of the virus.
“Nigeria currently has no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease,” the agency stated.
“However, we are aware of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and recent reports of a confirmed imported case in Uganda linked to the outbreak in DRC.”
The NCDC disclosed that it is collaborating with the Port Health Service under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, alongside other relevant stakeholders, to intensify monitoring at airports, seaports and land borders, while also strengthening vigilance across healthcare facilities nationwide.
According to the agency, health authorities in the affected countries — with support from international partners — have already activated emergency response systems, including laboratory testing, contact tracing, infection prevention protocols and public risk communication campaigns aimed at curbing the spread of the disease.
Ebola Virus Disease is a highly infectious and often fatal illness transmitted through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids or contaminated materials of infected persons or animals. The disease can also spread through exposure to infected surfaces and unsafe burial practices.
The NCDC listed common symptoms of the disease to include fever, fatigue, severe headache, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhoea. In more severe cases, patients may experience unexplained bleeding and organ complications.
As part of precautionary measures, the agency said it has intensified event-based surveillance systems across the country, expanded laboratory diagnostic readiness and reinforced infection prevention and control measures in hospitals and other healthcare centres.
Healthcare workers have also been placed on alert and advised to maintain a high level of suspicion when attending to patients showing symptoms associated with Ebola, particularly individuals with recent travel history to affected regions or those exposed to possible infection risks.
“All healthcare workers should continue to adhere strictly to standard precautions and infection prevention and control measures, including early identification and isolation of suspected cases, appropriate use of personal protective equipment and prompt reporting of suspected cases through established channels,” the advisory added.
The NCDC further appealed to Nigerians to remain calm and avoid spreading misinformation capable of triggering unnecessary panic, insisting that the nation’s disease surveillance architecture remains active, coordinated and responsive.
Residents were encouraged to maintain proper hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with bodily fluids of sick individuals and stay away from dead animals or bushmeat obtained from questionable sources.
The agency also urged citizens to immediately report unusual symptoms or suspected illnesses to the nearest healthcare facility for prompt medical attention and investigation.
While authorities continue to closely monitor developments in the region, the NCDC assured Nigerians that timely updates and additional public health guidance would be communicated as the situation evolves.