NCDC Raises Alarm Over High Risk of Ebola Outbreak in Nigeria

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has warned that Nigeria faces a high risk of an Ebola outbreak due to ongoing transmission of the virus in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, coupled with increased cross-border movement and international travel.

The concerns were disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s Director-General, Jide Idris.

According to the NCDC, its latest risk assessment indicates that the likelihood of Ebola being imported into Nigeria remains high because the full scale of the outbreaks in neighbouring regions is still uncertain.

NCDC Warns Ebola Symptoms Could Be Mistaken for Malaria, Lassa Fever

The agency explained that one of the major challenges in detecting Ebola early is that its symptoms closely resemble those of other diseases common in Nigeria, including malaria and Lassa fever.

The NCDC noted that delayed recognition of cases could increase the risk of transmission if preventive measures are not rapidly implemented.

Although no confirmed Ebola case has been recorded in Nigeria, the agency said it has intensified preparedness efforts amid growing fears of regional spread.

Border States, Airports Under Increased Surveillance

The health agency said it has identified several states as highly vulnerable because of their proximity to international borders, busy transport corridors, and major entry points into the country.

According to the statement, surveillance has been strengthened at airports, border communities, and other strategic locations to improve early detection and response.

The NCDC added that Nigeria still retains critical response structures developed during previous outbreaks of Ebola and other viral haemorrhagic diseases.

These include trained rapid response teams, emergency operations centres, and laboratory systems capable of handling dangerous infectious diseases.

Emergency Operations Centre Placed on Alert

The agency disclosed that its National Emergency Operations Centre has already been placed on alert mode as part of efforts to strengthen national preparedness.

It also confirmed that the Incident Management System has been activated to improve coordination between health authorities and emergency response agencies in the event of an outbreak.

Public communication campaigns have also been intensified to counter misinformation, panic, and false claims surrounding Ebola.

Nigeria’s Previous Ebola Experience

Nigeria was internationally praised for successfully containing an Ebola outbreak in 2014 after an infected Liberian-American diplomat arrived in Lagos.

Swift contact tracing, isolation measures, and coordinated emergency response efforts helped prevent a large-scale outbreak at the time.

Health experts say that experience remains one of Nigeria’s strongest advantages in responding quickly should another Ebola case emerge.

The NCDC urged Nigerians to remain calm, maintain proper hygiene practices, and promptly report suspected symptoms to health authorities.

The agency also advised travellers and border communities to remain vigilant as regional monitoring efforts continue.

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