NCDC Alerts Nigerians Over Rising Ebola Threat

FELICIA ONAH, Abuja

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has raised concern over the risk of an Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, warning that ongoing transmission in parts of Africa has significantly increased the likelihood of importation.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Director-General of the agency, Jide Idris, said the development follows active Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, as well as rising cross-border movement and international travel across the continent.

He noted that although Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed case, the country remains on high alert due to its vulnerability to imported infections through major entry points and busy travel routes.

According to the NCDC, its latest risk assessment placed Nigeria’s likelihood of Ebola importation at a high level, citing uncertainties surrounding the full scale of outbreaks in affected countries and challenges in early detection.

The agency explained that symptoms of Ebola could be easily confused with other endemic diseases such as malaria and Lassa fever, raising the risk of delayed diagnosis and response.

“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 statement read.

The NCDC said it has already identified vulnerable states, particularly those with international borders, major transport corridors and entry points, and placed them under heightened surveillance.

It added that response activities were ongoing in affected countries, including contact tracing, infection prevention, laboratory testing and community awareness campaigns aimed at containing the spread.

The agency further disclosed that Nigeria’s National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has been placed on alert mode, while the incident management system has been activated to strengthen coordination in the event of any suspected case.

According to the statement, Nigeria still retains critical public health capacities developed during previous outbreaks, including trained rapid response teams, functional laboratories, and established emergency coordination structures for viral haemorrhagic diseases.

“It also must be noted that Nigeria maintains important response capacities, including laboratory capability, trained rapid response teams, functional emergency operations centres (EOCs), established viral haemorrhagic fever preparedness structures, and prior experience in successfully responding to Ebola and other viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks,” the agency stated.

The NCDC added that epidemiologists and rapid response teams remain on standby for immediate deployment to any state where suspected cases may be reported.

It also said laboratories in key locations, particularly those near international airports and border points, have been placed on alert to ensure rapid testing and confirmation of suspected infections.

Beyond surveillance, the agency said it has intensified public risk communication efforts to counter misinformation and improve awareness about the disease.

The NCDC said it is working with health professionals, media organisations, community leaders and digital platforms to ensure accurate information is disseminated and false claims are addressed promptly.

It also confirmed the circulation of updated educational materials on Ebola myths and facts to reduce misinformation and improve public understanding of the disease.

Nigeria previously battled a major Ebola outbreak in 2014 after a Liberian-American traveller arrived in Lagos, an incident that triggered swift containment efforts and eventually helped prevent wider national spread.