The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has stepped up surveillance and preparedness measures across the country following the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and a recently confirmed imported case in Uganda linked to the outbreak.
Director-General of the agency, Jide Idris, assured Nigerians on Sunday that no case of Ebola Virus Disease has been detected in the country.
“Nigeria currently has no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease,” Idris stated in a public health advisory.
He explained that health authorities in the affected countries, alongside international partners, had activated emergency response measures aimed at containing the spread of the virus.
According to him, the measures include enhanced disease surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, case management, contact tracing, and public risk communication.
Idris noted that the NCDC was monitoring the situation closely due to increasing movement across African countries and was collaborating with the Port Health Services under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness.
“NCDC is closely monitoring the situation and working with relevant stakeholders, including the Port Health Services, to ensure continued vigilance and preparedness within the public health system,” he said.
The NCDC boss described Ebola as a severe viral disease transmitted through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, secretions, or contaminated materials from humans or animals.
He explained that the disease has an incubation period of between two and 21 days, with symptoms including fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, and in severe cases, unexplained bleeding.
Idris said the agency had continued to maintain surveillance systems for Ebola and other epidemic-prone diseases while intensifying public awareness campaigns nationwide.
He urged Nigerians not to panic or spread false information about the disease.
“Members of the public should remain calm and avoid spreading misinformation,” he advised.
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The agency encouraged citizens to maintain proper hand hygiene, avoid contact with bodily fluids of sick individuals, refrain from handling dead animals or bushmeat from unknown sources, and quickly report unusual illnesses at health facilities.
Healthcare workers were also advised to remain alert, especially when handling patients showing symptoms linked to Ebola alongside recent travel or exposure history.
Idris stressed the need for strict compliance with infection prevention protocols, including early isolation of suspected cases, proper use of protective equipment, hand hygiene, and prompt reporting through official channels.
“NCDC will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary,” he added.
Nigeria previously gained global recognition for successfully containing the 2014 Ebola outbreak after an infected traveller arrived in Lagos from Liberia. The country’s swift emergency response, extensive contact tracing, and coordinated public health efforts helped stop the spread within a short period.