The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has intensified alertness at the country’s points of entry, including airports, subsequent to the confirmation of an Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Uganda.
NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, in a public health advisory, stressed that presently there are no reported cases of Ebola in Nigeria, while encouraging Nigerians to avoid non-essential travel to affected countries.
Idris said, “There are no cases of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria. However, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with relevant ministries, departments, agencies, and partners through the National Emerging Viral Hemorrhagic Diseases Technical Working Group, continues these efforts, including the update of our EVD emergency contingency plan, heightened surveillance especially at the points of entry, and optimising diagnostic capacity for EVD testing in designated laboratories in cities with international airports of entry and the National Reference Laboratory."
Ebola virus disease, formerly known as Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever, is a severe and often fatal illness with a mortality rate ranging from 25% to 90%.
In 2014, Nigeria experienced an Ebola outbreak, following the entry of an infected patient, Sawyer, from Liberia into the country.
Sawyer’s first contact, Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh, the Lead Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist at First Consultants Medical Centre, Ikoyi, lost of her life but prevented the spread of the dreaded disease.
On January 30, 2025, Uganda confirmed an Ebola case caused by the Sudan virus species in Wakiso, Mukono, and Mbale City in Mbale District.
The NCDC noted that Uganda has significant experience in responding to Ebola outbreaks and has initiated necessary containment measures.
Nigerians are therefore urged to adhere strictly to preventive measures such as practicing good hand hygiene – Wash your hands regularly with soap under running water or use hand sanitizers, avoid physical contact with anyone who has symptoms of an infection with an unknown diagnosis. Avoid the consumption of bush meat, particularly bats and non-human primates, which are known reservoirs of the Ebola virus.
