The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has declared that Nigeria is at high risk of importing Ebola virus disease (EVD) due to ongoing transmission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, coupled with international travel and population movement. The assessment also highlighted uncertainty regarding the full magnitude of the outbreak.
This alert follows a dynamic risk assessment conducted by the agency, which estimated the risk of Ebola importation into Nigeria as high. The assessment identified high-risk states, border communities, major transport hubs, and Points of Entry (PoEs) as critical areas requiring heightened vigilance.
NCDC Intensifies Preparedness and Response
In a public health advisory issued in Abuja, Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, stated that the agency is intensifying national coordination activities to strengthen Ebola preparedness and rapid response capacity across the country. The National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has been placed on alert mode for heightened preparedness.
Dr Idris noted that although Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed case of EVD associated with the current regional outbreak as of the time of the release, surveillance and preparedness activities continue across the country. This is especially important given the World Health Organization's declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and the rising number of cases in DRC and Uganda.
Enhanced Surveillance and Traveler Guidance
The NCDC has intensified event-based surveillance and epidemic intelligence activities, including enhanced monitoring of alerts, rumors, and unusual public health events to support early detection, reporting, and response. Travelers arriving from countries with confirmed Ebola cases are urged to monitor their health for 21 days and immediately report symptoms such as fever, weakness, vomiting, or unexplained bleeding.
Healthcare workers are called upon to maintain a high index of suspicion and strictly comply with infection prevention protocols, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and immediate isolation of suspected cases.
Coordination and Resource Prepositioning
Other measures taken by the agency include coordination with state epidemiologists, Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs), surveillance teams, and healthcare facilities nationwide to strengthen preparedness and ensure timely detection and reporting of suspected cases. The National Incident Management System (IMS) has been activated with clearly defined coordination, reporting, and escalation pathways.
NCDC and partners are also mapping and preparing for prepositioning of critical response commodities, including PPE, infection prevention and control (IPC) supplies, body bags, laboratory consumables, and emergency medical supplies in strategic locations.
Laboratory Capacity and Rapid Response
Nigeria maintains existing laboratory testing capability in states with international Points of Entry and the public health laboratory network. Surge capacity and optimization for Ebola virus disease testing are available if required. The NCDC and relevant laboratory networks are strengthening sample collection, packaging, transportation, and referral systems for suspected viral hemorrhagic fever cases to support timely diagnosis and response.
Dr Idris stated, "Coordination with designated Viral Haemorrhagic Fever testing laboratories (both public and private) remains ongoing, alongside reinforcement of biosafety and biosecurity procedures across the laboratory network." He added that a dynamic risk assessment was conducted to guide anticipatory and response measures, noting that Nigeria maintains important response capacities, including laboratory capability, trained rapid response teams, functional Emergency Operations Centres, established Viral Haemorrhagic Fever preparedness structures, and prior experience in successfully responding to Ebola and other viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks.
Epidemiologists and Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) are on alert for rapid deployment to any affected state if required. The NCDC is strengthening coordination with state ministries of health, port health services, and relevant ministries, departments, and agencies.
Ongoing Monitoring and Public Advice
Preparedness monitoring, readiness assessments, and situation reporting are ongoing at national and subnational levels. The NCDC has disseminated Ebola IPC readiness tools and checklists to support preparedness activities in communities and is working with state IPC focal persons to support rapid Ebola IPC readiness assessments in healthcare facilities. Refresher sensitization for healthcare workers on critical IPC arrangements, triage systems, and early identification of suspected viral hemorrhagic fever cases is also ongoing.
States are advised to incorporate Ebola preparedness into ongoing readiness activities, including designation of isolation and treatment centers, assessment of bed capacity, staffing, logistics, clinical management protocols, referral pathways, ambulance referral and patient transport systems, and availability of essential supplies for Ebola response.
The agency has intensified risk communication campaigns and launched aggressive rumor management initiatives to combat false claims surrounding the disease. The public is urged to maintain regular hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with body fluids of sick persons, promptly report unexplained illnesses or deaths, and avoid spreading unverified information.
