The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has intensified nationwide surveillance and emergency preparedness measures following the worsening outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
In a fresh public health advisory issued by the Director-General of the NCDC, Jide Idris, the agency confirmed that Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed Ebola case linked to the ongoing regional outbreak. However, it warned that the risk of importing the disease into the country remains high due to international travel, population movement and continued transmission in affected East African countries.
According to the advisory released on Sunday, May 24, 2026, the agency’s latest risk assessment identified border communities, major transport hubs and international points of entry as high-risk areas requiring closer monitoring.
The NCDC stated that similarities between Ebola symptoms and common illnesses such as malaria and Lassa fever could delay early detection if health workers and the public fail to remain vigilant.
“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.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE ACTIVATED
As part of efforts to strengthen preparedness, the NCDC disclosed that the National Emergency Operations Centre has been placed on alert mode, while the National Incident Management System has also been activated to coordinate response activities nationwide.
The agency added that epidemiologists and Rapid Response Teams have been placed on standby for immediate deployment should any suspected case emerge in any state.
The NCDC said it is collaborating with state Ministries of Health, Port Health Services and other relevant agencies to improve national response capacity.
Enhanced surveillance and epidemic intelligence activities are also ongoing across the country, especially at border communities and international entry points.
HEALTH FACILITIES RECEIVE PREPAREDNESS MATERIALS
The agency further revealed that Ebola preparedness checklists and infection prevention tools have been distributed to healthcare facilities nationwide.
Refresher trainings are also ongoing for health workers on infection prevention protocols, patient triage systems and early detection of suspected viral haemorrhagic fever cases.
State governments have been advised to designate isolation and treatment centres, evaluate bed capacities and ensure the availability of emergency medical supplies.
The NCDC disclosed that critical response materials including personal protective equipment (PPE), laboratory consumables and body bags are being strategically prepositioned across the country.
PUBLIC ADVISED AGAINST SPREADING MISINFORMATION
The public health agency also intensified awareness campaigns aimed at combating misinformation and panic surrounding Ebola.
According to the NCDC, educational materials tagged “Ebola Myths and Facts” have been developed to educate Nigerians about the disease and discourage the spread of false information.
Health experts noted that Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected blood, bodily fluids or contaminated materials and not through the air.
The NCDC urged Nigerians to rely only on verified information from health authorities and avoid circulating rumours capable of undermining response efforts.
MEMORIES OF NIGERIA’S 2014 EBOLA RESPONSE
The renewed alert has revived memories of Nigeria’s successful containment of the Ebola outbreak in 2014 after an infected Liberian-American diplomat, Patrick Sawyer, arrived in Lagos from Liberia.
That outbreak recorded 20 confirmed cases and eight deaths before Nigerian health authorities successfully halted transmission through aggressive contact tracing, isolation measures and public awareness campaigns.
Nigeria’s response was widely praised by the World Health Organization and remains one of Africa’s most celebrated epidemic containment efforts.
