The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has placed the country on high alert following the growing Ebola outbreak in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In a public health advisory issued on Sunday, NCDC Director-General Jide Idris confirmed that no cases have been recorded in Nigeria but warned that the risk of importation remains significant due to international travel and population movement.
Enhanced Surveillance and Emergency Preparedness
The NCDC has intensified nationwide surveillance and emergency preparedness measures. The agency noted that the alert is necessary because Ebola symptoms may overlap with endemic diseases such as malaria and Lassa fever, potentially delaying recognition. The latest risk assessment identified border communities, major transport hubs, and international points of entry as high-risk areas requiring enhanced monitoring.
Activation of Emergency Operations
The National Emergency Operations Centre has been placed on alert mode, and the National Incident Management System has been activated with clear reporting and escalation pathways. Epidemiologists and Rapid Response Teams are on standby for deployment to any state if needed. The NCDC is also strengthening coordination with state Ministries of Health, Port Health Services, and other relevant agencies to improve national readiness.
Surveillance and epidemic intelligence activities have been ramped up across the country, including monitoring of unusual public health events, rumors, and alerts to ensure early detection of suspected cases. Enhanced surveillance is ongoing at points of entry and border communities.
“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 advisory stated.
