The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a public health advisory following an outbreak of Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, said on Saturday that the DRC had reported 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers, as of September 4, 2025. According to the DRC’s Health Minister, Samuel Roger Kamba, the outbreak is concentrated in Kasai Province, specifically in the Bulape and Mweka health zones.
The NCDC confirmed that no cases of Ebola virus disease have been detected in Nigeria. However, Idris disclosed that the country has been placed on high alert, with surveillance measures strengthened at points of entry, health facilities, and communities nationwide.
He explained that affected individuals in the DRC presented symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and haemorrhage. Laboratory testing at the National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa confirmed the Zaire strain of the Ebola virus as the cause of the outbreak. The current mortality rate is estimated at 57%, though further investigations are ongoing.
Idris noted that the DRC has activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre and deployed a rapid response team, with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO), to scale up surveillance, infection prevention and control, laboratory diagnostics, and case management.
On Nigeria’s preparedness, Idris reassured the public that there are no confirmed cases in the country and highlighted that the Ebola Zaire strain responsible for the outbreak has an approved vaccine, Ervebo, which offers effective protection.
“We will continue to monitor both regional and global developments closely. As of now, there are no cases of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria,” Idris said.
