The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has warned that Nigeria faces a high risk of importing Ebola virus disease (EVD), following ongoing outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
Although no confirmed cases have been recorded in Nigeria, the agency said increased regional transmission, rising international travel, and cross-border movement have heightened the risk of importation.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NCDC Director-General Jide Idris said the agency’s latest risk assessment classified the threat as high.
“This assessment estimated the risk of Ebola importation into Nigeria as high due to ongoing transmission in the DRC and Uganda, international travel and population movement, uncertainty regarding the full magnitude of the outbreak, and the potential for delayed recognition because symptoms may overlap with endemic diseases such as malaria and Lassa fever,” the statement read.
The agency noted that several states have been identified as particularly vulnerable due to their proximity to land borders, major transport corridors, and international points of entry.
According to the NCDC, response activities are ongoing in affected countries, including surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control measures, and public awareness campaigns.
It also referenced recent developments, including a confirmed imported case in Uganda linked to the outbreak in the DRC.
As part of national preparedness efforts, the NCDC said Nigeria’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has been placed on alert mode, while the incident management system has been activated to strengthen coordination and response capacity.
The agency added that Nigeria continues to benefit from existing systems and expertise developed during previous Ebola and viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks.
“These include laboratory capacity, trained rapid response teams, functional emergency operations centres (EOCs), established viral haemorrhagic fever preparedness structures, and prior experience in successfully responding to Ebola and other outbreaks,” the statement said.
It added that epidemiologists and rapid response teams are on standby for deployment to any state if required.
The NCDC also said laboratories in states with international points of entry have been placed on alert, while sample collection and transportation systems are being strengthened to support rapid diagnosis of suspected cases.
In addition, the agency said it has intensified public communication efforts to counter misinformation and improve awareness about Ebola.
“NCDC is strengthening risk communication activities, intensifying social listening and rumour management systems, and working with media organisations, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and digital platforms to amplify credible information and promote responsible public discourse,” it said.
It added that it has also developed and circulated Ebola myths-and-facts materials to address misinformation circulating online.
