NCDC: Nigeria intensifies Ebola surveillance amid fresh outbreak fears

THE Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has stepped up nationwide surveillance and emergency preparedness measures over fears of a possible Ebola outbreak linked to rising cases in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In a public health advisory issued on Sunday, the agency’s Director-General, Jide Idris, said Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed Ebola case connected to the ongoing outbreaks in East Africa, but warned that the possibility of importation remains significant because of cross-border movement and international travel.

According to the NCDC, its latest risk assessment identified border communities, transport hubs and international entry points as vulnerable locations requiring stricter monitoring and surveillance.

The agency explained that the continued spread of Ebola in Uganda and the DRC, combined with uncertainty around the scale of infections and similarities between Ebola symptoms and diseases such as Lassa fever and malaria, increases the likelihood of delayed detection.

To strengthen readiness, 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.

READ ALSO: Death toll in Congo’s Ebola outbreak climbs to 131

It added that epidemiologists and rapid response teams are currently on standby and could be deployed to any state if the need arises. The agency said collaboration is also being expanded with state ministries of health, port health services and other government institutions.

The public health agency noted that surveillance and epidemic intelligence activities have been intensified across Nigeria, including closer monitoring of unusual health events, rumours and emergency alerts for early detection of suspected cases. Enhanced screening activities are also ongoing at border communities and points of entry.

As part of preventive measures, the NCDC said Ebola preparedness checklists and response tools have been distributed to health facilities nationwide. Health workers are also undergoing refresher training on infection prevention, patient triage systems and early identification of viral haemorrhagic fever cases.

States have equally been advised to designate isolation and treatment centres, evaluate bed capacity, strengthen logistics systems and ensure adequate emergency medical supplies are available.

The agency further disclosed that plans are underway to preposition critical response materials, including personal protective equipment, laboratory consumables, body bags and other emergency items in strategic locations across the country.

On laboratory readiness, the NCDC said Nigeria still maintains Ebola testing capacity in states with international entry points and within the national public health laboratory network, while additional surge testing capability remains available if needed.

The agency also cautioned against misinformation, noting that public awareness campaigns have been intensified alongside the circulation of ‘Ebola Myths and Facts’ materials aimed at countering false narratives online.

READ ALSO: WHO raises highest global alert over Ebola outbreak in Congo, Uganda

Ebola is a severe and often deadly illness transmitted through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids or contaminated materials. Common symptoms include fever, weakness, headaches and muscle pain, although experts stress that the virus is not airborne.

The latest alert has revived memories of Nigeria’s successful containment of Ebola in 2014 after infected Liberian-American diplomat Patrick Sawyer arrived in Lagos from Liberia.

That outbreak resulted in 20 confirmed infections and eight deaths before health authorities halted transmission through aggressive contact tracing, isolation and public sensitisation campaigns. Nigeria’s response was later commended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of Africa’s most effective epidemic containment efforts.