EVD is a severe viral illness caused by the Ebola virus. It spreads through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, secretions or contaminated materials of infected persons or animals. The virus is not airborne.

The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days, while symptoms include fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in severe cases, unexplained bleeding.

The disease is currently affecting several countries in East and Central Africa, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, with concerns about further regional spread. More than 100 deaths have been recorded, while many others have been hospitalised due to the outbreak.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified the situation as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, in a statement on Sunday, said the warning followed the outcome of a recent dynamic risk assessment conducted by the agency.

He said, “Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed case of EVD associated with the current regional outbreak as of the time of this release. However, in view of the WHO’s declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and the rising number of cases in the DRC and Uganda, surveillance and preparedness activities have been intensified nationwide.”

According to him, the risk assessment estimated the likelihood of Ebola importation into Nigeria as high due to ongoing transmission in the DRC and Uganda, international travel and population movement, uncertainty surrounding the full scale of the outbreak and the possibility of delayed detection because symptoms can resemble endemic illnesses such as malaria and Lassa fever.

He added: “The assessment identified high-risk states, border communities, major transport hubs and Points of Entry (PoEs). Nigeria, however, retains significant response capacities, including laboratory capability, 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 haemorrhagic fever outbreaks. Nonetheless, these capacities require continuous strengthening and updating.”

Dr Idris confirmed that the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) had been placed on alert mode to enhance preparedness, while the National Incident Management System (IMS) has been activated with clearly defined coordination, reporting and escalation mechanisms.

He disclosed that epidemiologists and Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) are on standby for immediate deployment to any affected state if necessary. “We have strengthened coordination among the NCDC, State Ministries of Health, Port Health Services and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Preparedness monitoring, readiness assessments and situation reporting are ongoing at both national and subnational levels,” he said.

The NCDC boss further explained that Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) readiness tools and checklists have been distributed to support preparedness activities in health facilities nationwide. Refresher sensitisation programmes for healthcare workers on IPC protocols, triage systems and early identification of suspected viral haemorrhagic fever cases are also ongoing.

The agency advised Nigerians to adopt preventive measures, including seeking prompt medical care and avoiding self-medication. Citizens were urged to disclose recent travel history, contact with sick persons or attendance at funerals to healthcare workers where relevant.

The NCDC also advised Nigerians to avoid direct contact with blood, body fluids or other secretions of sick persons, and not to touch, wash or prepare the bodies of persons who die following unexplained illnesses. Such deaths, it said, should be reported immediately to health authorities.

It further warned against handling dead animals or bushmeat from unknown sources, stressing the importance of regular hand hygiene and reliance on verified information from official public health authorities. Travellers arriving from countries with confirmed Ebola cases were advised to monitor their health for 21 days after arrival. Anyone who develops symptoms should avoid further travel and immediately contact their State Ministry of Health or the NCDC for guidance.

On healthcare workers, the agency noted that frontline personnel remain particularly vulnerable because of the risk of healthcare-associated transmission. It therefore urged healthcare workers to maintain a high level of suspicion for EVD in patients presenting with compatible symptoms and relevant travel or exposure histories.

Healthcare workers were also directed to adhere strictly to standard precautions and IPC measures, including early identification and isolation of suspected cases, appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, safe sample handling and prompt reporting through established channels.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary. Although Nigeria currently has no confirmed Ebola case linked to the ongoing regional outbreak, early reporting, truthful disclosure of travel or exposure history, and responsible health-seeking behaviour remain essential to reducing the risk of importation and onward transmission,” the NCDC stated. (The Sun)

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