Ebola Scare: NCDC Puts Nigeria On High Alert

The move comes amid concerns over increased regional travel and cross-border movement, which health experts say could heighten the risk of transmission into neighbouring countries. Although no confirmed case linked to the ongoing outbreak has been detected in Nigeria, the agency disclosed that it has activated the National Incident Management System to enhance coordination, reporting, surveillance and emergency response efforts nationwide.

Director-General of the NCDC, Jide Idris, disclosed the development in a public health advisory outlining the country’s preparedness measures against a possible Ebola outbreak.

He explained that a dynamic risk assessment carried out by the agency identified international travel, population movement and the likelihood of delayed detection due to similarities between Ebola symptoms and illnesses such as malaria and Lassa fever as key challenges requiring urgent attention.

The NCDC further revealed that high-risk states, border communities, transport hubs and major points of entry have already been mapped out for intensified surveillance and monitoring.

The agency assured Nigerians that the country possesses established response structures capable of managing a potential outbreak, including functional laboratories, emergency operations centres, trained rapid response teams and previous experience in containing Ebola and other viral haemorrhagic diseases.

According to the advisory, the National Emergency Operations Centre has already been placed on alert mode to ensure rapid mobilisation if necessary. Epidemiologists and emergency response personnel have also been positioned on standby for immediate deployment, while surveillance activities have been expanded across the country, especially in border areas and entry points.

Health workers across the country are also undergoing refresher training and sensitisation programmes focused on infection prevention, triage systems and the early identification of suspected Ebola cases.

The agency added that state governments have been directed to incorporate Ebola preparedness into their existing emergency response plans by establishing isolation centres, strengthening referral systems and ensuring the availability of protective equipment and essential medical supplies.

Authorities also disclosed that efforts are ongoing to improve laboratory testing capacity, sample transportation systems and biosafety procedures within Nigeria’s public health laboratory network.

As part of measures to curb panic and misinformation, the NCDC said it has intensified public awareness campaigns and activated social listening and rumour management systems to address false claims surrounding the disease.

Nigerians were urged to rely only on verified public health information, maintain regular hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with bodily fluids of infected persons and refrain from handling dead animals or bushmeat from unknown sources.