By Ojoma Akor
The Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says it has intensified event-based surveillance and monitoring in Nigeria following outbreaks of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
Director General of the agency, Dr. Jide Idris, in a public health advisory on Sunday, said that Nigeria currently has no confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
He said, “However, we are aware of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and recent reports of a confirmed imported case in Uganda linked to the outbreak in DRC. ”
Dr. Idris said response activities are ongoing in affected areas in the DRC and Uganda.
He said health authorities in the affected countries, with support from partners, have activated public health emergency measures, including enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control (IPC), case management, contact tracing, and risk communication activities.
He further said that, due to increasing cross-border movement, NCDC is closely monitoring the situation and working with relevant stakeholders, including the Port Health Service (Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare), to ensure continued vigilance and preparedness within the public health system.
Ebola Virus Disease is a severe viral illness caused by the Ebola virus and transmitted through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, secretions, or contaminated materials of an infected person or animal.
The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days.
Symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Weakness
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- In severe cases, unexplained bleeding.
The NCDC DG said the agency will continue to maintain surveillance systems for Ebola and other epidemic-prone diseases, adding that the following are being implemented actively;
- Maintaining coordination with states and relevant stakeholders.
- Supporting laboratory and diagnostic readiness.
- Reinforcing infection prevention and control awareness within healthcare settings.
- Strengthening risk communication and community engagement activities.
- Closely monitoring global and regional developments.
He advised members of the public to:
- Remain calm and avoid spreading misinformation.
- Practice regular hand hygiene.
- Avoid contact with bodily fluids of sick persons.
- Avoid contact with dead animals or bushmeat from unknown sources.
- Report unusual illnesses promptly to the nearest health facility.
- Follow updates only from official Public Health Authorities.
He also advised healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for EVD in patients presenting with compatible symptoms and relevant travel or exposure history.
He said all healthcare workers should continue to adhere strictly to standard precautions and infection control prevention and control measures, including:
- Early identification and isolation of suspected cases.
- Appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Hand hygiene.
- Prompt reporting of suspected cases through established channels.
He added that NCDC will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary.
