The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has intensified surveillance and preparatory measures across the country following the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and a confirmed imported case in Uganda linked to the outbreak.
The Director-General of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, disclosed this in a public health advisory issued on Saturday, while assuring Nigerians that the country has not recorded any confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease.
The agency said response activities were ongoing in affected areas in the DRC and Uganda, with health authorities, supported by international partners, activating emergency public health measures including enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, case management, and risk communication.
The NCDC stated that due to increasing regional movement across African countries, it was working with relevant stakeholders, including the Port Health Service under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, to strengthen vigilance and preparedness within Nigeria’s public health system.
According to the agency, Ebola Virus Disease is a severe viral illness transmitted through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, secretions, or contaminated materials of infected persons or animals.
It listed symptoms of the disease to include fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, and, in severe cases, unexplained bleeding.
The NCDC assured that it has continued to maintain surveillance systems for Ebola and other epidemic-prone diseases across the country.
It added that current response measures include intensified event-based surveillance and monitoring, strengthened coordination with states and stakeholders, improved laboratory and diagnostic readiness, reinforcement of infection prevention and control awareness in healthcare facilities, as well as risk communication and community engagement activities.
The agency urged Nigerians to remain calm and avoid spreading misinformation, while advising the public to maintain regular hand hygiene and avoid contact with bodily fluids of sick persons.
It also cautioned against contact with dead animals or bush meat from unknown sources and encouraged residents to promptly report unusual illnesses to the nearest health facility.
Healthcare workers were advised to maintain a high index of suspicion for Ebola in patients presenting with compatible symptoms and relevant travel or exposure history.
The NCDC stressed the importance of strict adherence to infection prevention and control measures, including early identification and isolation of suspected cases, proper use of personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, and prompt reporting of suspected cases through established channels.
“NCDC will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary,” the agency stated.
