The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a public health advisory following the recent outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). While no case has been reported in Nigeria, the agency says it is closely monitoring the situation and stepping up preparedness measures to prevent any possible spread.
In a statement released on its official Facebook page on Saturday, the NCDC assured Nigerians that the country’s surveillance systems are fully active and ready to detect any suspected case of the deadly disease.
“The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) is aware of the declaration of an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” the statement read. “Although there is currently no case of Ebola in Nigeria, we are monitoring the situation and strengthening our preparedness and response capacities.”
The DRC, a Central African country, has battled several outbreaks of Ebola in the past. The virus is highly contagious and can be fatal if not quickly detected and treated. Ebola spreads through contact with blood, body fluids, or tissues of infected people or animals.
To protect the public, the NCDC outlined key preventive steps that Nigerians should follow. These include:
Regular handwashing with soap and running water
Avoiding contact with people who show symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and unexplained bleeding
Avoiding the consumption of bushmeat
Ensuring that all animal products are well-cooked before consumption
The agency further advised healthcare workers to take extra precautions, including strict adherence to infection prevention protocols and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when treating patients.
“Our healthcare professionals are urged to be alert and to follow infection prevention and control guidelines strictly. If you are managing patients with symptoms consistent with Ebola, ensure you are properly protected,” the advisory added.
People who have recently travelled to areas affected by the outbreak and develop symptoms are advised to immediately call the NCDC toll-free hotline on 6232 or contact their State Ministry of Health for guidance.
The NCDC also encouraged members of the public to remain calm but vigilant, noting that early detection is key to preventing an outbreak.
“Everyone has a role to play. Stay informed, take preventive actions, and report symptoms promptly. These small steps can save lives,” the statement noted.
Ebola Virus Disease is known for its high fatality rate, which can reach up to 90% in some outbreaks. Symptoms usually appear between 2 to 21 days after exposure to the virus and include sudden fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, and in some cases, internal and external bleeding.
Nigeria’s last known case of Ebola was in 2014, when the virus was imported from Liberia. Due to swift action by health authorities and strong public health coordination, Nigeria was able to contain the outbreak quickly, earning global praise for its response.
The full public health advisory is available on the official NCDC website. Nigerians are encouraged to visit the site for accurate and updated information.
As neighbouring African countries remain on alert, the NCDC says it will continue working with regional and international health partners to ensure that Nigeria remains Ebola-free.
