KEY POINTS

• The NCDC has classified the risk of Ebola entering Nigeria as high due to outbreaks in East Africa.
• Health authorities have intensified surveillance, laboratory readiness, and emergency response measures across the country.
• State governments and healthcare workers have been urged to remain vigilant and report suspected cases promptly.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has declared that the risk of the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) being imported into Nigeria remains high, prompting intensified nationwide preparedness efforts.

The warning comes amid ongoing Ebola outbreaks in parts of East Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, as health authorities seek to prevent the virus from entering and spreading within Nigeria.

Speaking during a media briefing in Lagos, the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, said the agency’s assessment was based on a dynamic risk analysis carried out in response to the evolving public health situation in the region.

According to him, factors such as increased international travel, cross-border movement, and porous borders heighten the likelihood of the virus being imported into Nigeria.

Dr. Idris also noted that early detection could be challenging because Ebola symptoms often resemble those of other common diseases in Nigeria, including malaria and Lassa fever.

No Confirmed Case in Nigeria

Despite the heightened risk, the NCDC confirmed that Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed Ebola case.

However, the agency said it is taking proactive measures to ensure the country is prepared to quickly detect, investigate, and contain any potential outbreak.

The NCDC boss stressed that preparedness remains a critical component of Nigeria’s public health strategy, especially given the country’s history of successfully containing previous Ebola threats.

Dr. Idris disclosed that several emergency response mechanisms have already been activated across the country.

These include enhanced surveillance at airports and other points of entry, improved laboratory readiness, strengthened risk communication, case management preparedness, and coordination with key stakeholders in the health sector.

He explained that the NCDC has also completed a national dynamic risk assessment and vulnerability analysis to guide its preparedness activities and improve response capabilities.

The agency called on state governments to activate emergency preparedness plans and ensure response structures are fully operational.

Healthcare workers and frontline personnel were also urged to maintain a high level of alertness when attending to patients displaying symptoms that may be associated with Ebola infection.

Dr. Idris emphasised that prompt reporting, early detection, and rapid response remain essential to preventing any potential outbreak from escalating.