KEY POINTS

• The NCDC says there are currently no confirmed cases of Ebola in Nigeria despite regional outbreaks in Uganda and the DRC.
• The agency had earlier warned that Nigeria faces a high risk due to cross-border movement and international travel.
• It urged the public to rely only on official updates and said surveillance and preparedness efforts have been strengthened.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has clarified that there are currently no confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria, despite heightened concern following recent outbreaks in parts of East and Central Africa.

The agency made the clarification amid growing public attention to reports of Ebola transmission in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which have prompted renewed regional preparedness efforts.

In a statement shared on its official social media platforms, the NCDC dismissed claims suggesting the presence of Ebola cases in the country, describing such reports as false and misleading.

According to the agency, Nigeria remains free of confirmed Ebola infections, and there is no evidence at this time indicating local transmission.

The NCDC urged the public to disregard unofficial reports and rely only on verified communication channels for accurate health information.

Heightened Regional Risk Concerns

Although no cases have been recorded in Nigeria, the agency acknowledged earlier assessments indicating that the country faces a heightened risk of possible importation of the virus.

This risk, it said, is linked to ongoing outbreaks in neighbouring regions, increased cross-border movement, and international travel patterns.

The NCDC also noted that surveillance systems have been strengthened nationwide to detect and respond quickly to any suspected cases.

The health agency explained that it continues to enhance disease surveillance, laboratory readiness, and emergency response capacity across the country.

It added that preparedness measures are being coordinated with relevant stakeholders in the health sector to ensure rapid containment in the event of an outbreak.

Officials stressed that early detection remains critical in preventing the spread of Ebola, particularly given the similarity of its symptoms to other diseases such as malaria and Lassa fever.

The NCDC advised Nigerians to remain calm but vigilant, while adhering to basic health precautions and reporting suspected cases through appropriate channels.

It also encouraged citizens to follow only official NCDC communication platforms for updates on infectious diseases and public health alerts.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health and ensuring Nigeria remains free of Ebola and other emerging infectious diseases.