The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has assured Nigerians that there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country despite the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and a recently confirmed imported case in Uganda linked to the outbreak.
Director-General of the NCDC, Jide Idris, gave the assurance in a public health advisory issued on Sunday, stressing that Nigeria remains Ebola-free.
“Nigeria currently has no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease,” Idris stated.
He, however, said the agency had heightened surveillance and preparedness measures nationwide in response to developments in neighbouring African countries.
According to him, health authorities in the affected countries, with support from international partners, have activated emergency response mechanisms including enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, infection prevention and control measures, case management and risk communication efforts.
Idris noted that the NCDC was closely monitoring the situation due to increased regional movement across Africa and was collaborating with relevant agencies, including Port Health Services under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, to strengthen Nigeria’s public health preparedness.
“NCDC is closely monitoring the situation and working with relevant stakeholders, including the Port Health Services, to ensure continued vigilance and preparedness within the public health system,” he said.
The NCDC also urged Nigerians to remain calm and avoid spreading misinformation about Ebola, while maintaining preventive measures such as regular hand hygiene, avoiding contact with bodily fluids of sick persons, and promptly reporting unusual illnesses to health facilities.