Bukola Afeni
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has warned that Nigeria is at high risk of importing Ebola virus disease (EVD), following renewed outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Jide Idris, in a statement.
The agency said although no case has been recorded in Nigeria, increased transmission in affected countries, cross-border movement, and international travel have heightened the likelihood of importation.
It added that the situation is further complicated by the similarity of Ebola symptoms with illnesses such as malaria and Lassa fever, which could delay detection.
“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 statement read.
The warning follows confirmation of ongoing Ebola outbreaks in parts of Central and East Africa, including a reported imported case in Uganda linked to the DRC outbreak, according to the agency.
The NCDC said several states with international borders, major transit routes, and entry points have been flagged as high-risk zones for possible spread.
In response, it disclosed that national preparedness systems have been placed on heightened alert, with the Emergency Operations Centre activated to strengthen coordination and rapid response capacity across the country.
“However, we are aware of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and recent reports of a confirmed imported case in Uganda linked to the outbreak in DRC,” the agency stated.
The agency added that Nigeria’s existing outbreak response systems, developed during previous Ebola incidents, remain active and capable of rapid deployment if needed.
“It also must be noted that Nigeria maintains important response capacities, including laboratory capability, trained rapid response teams, functional emergency operations centres (EOCs), established Viral haemorrhagic fever preparedness structures, and prior experience in successfully responding to Ebola and other viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks,” the statement added.
According to the NCDC, epidemiologists and rapid response teams have been placed on standby, while laboratories near entry points have also been alerted to enhance early detection and testing capacity.
The agency further said it is intensifying public awareness campaigns, misinformation tracking, and collaboration with health professionals, media organisations, and community leaders to improve risk communication and reduce false information about the disease.
“NCDC is strengthening public awareness and risk communication activities, intensifying social listening and rumour management systems, and working with media organizations, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and digital platforms to amplify credible information and promote responsible public discourse,” the statement said.
It added: “NCDC has also developed and disseminated Ebola Myths and Facts materials to address misinformation and false claims circulating online.”
