The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that there is no case of Ebola virus in Nigeria, and urged citizens to be vigilant and cautious.
The centre, in its public advisory issued on Friday, informed that there were two recent suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fever in Abuja, but both tested negative for Ebola and Marburg viruses.
“We are currently testing samples for other viral haemorrhagic fevers like Lassa Fever and Dengue fever. The most recent case involved a traveller who, after returning to Nigeria from Kigali, responsibly presented himself immediately to a hospital in Abuja when he felt unwell.
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“His decision to report early, combined with the vigilance of the attending clinician and hospital team, ensured that our public health system was promptly activated and that the risk to the public was minimizedâ€, the centre stated.
Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever, is a severe, often deadly disease caused by the Ebola virus, with a fatality rate of 25-90%. There are 5 distinct species of this Virus: Bundibugyo, Reston, Tai Forest, Sudan, and the Zaire (the one responsible for the current case in the DRC).
The NCDC commended the action of the travellers and urged all Nigerians to emulate the same. “When you feel unwell, especially after travel, seek care early. Doing so protects you, your family, and your communityâ€, it urged.
Meanwhile, the NCDC said it has activated multidisciplinary collaboration with federal and state health authorities, strengthening surveillance at points of entry, placing isolation/treatment facilities on alert, and prepositioning critical infection-prevention and related case management supplies.
The centre further said that it is currently collating and analysing all the relevant data and information to improve response, adding that its national reference laboratories remain on standby to provide rapid testing, and public-health teams are ready to conduct contact tracing if needed.
“Beyond these immediate steps, NCDC is also working with states and partners to strengthen readiness across all 36 states and the FCT. This includes upgrading isolation facilities, reinforcing IPC training for healthcare workers, conducting simulation exercises, and ensuring a clear pathway for access to medical countermeasures such as vaccines and therapeutics if ever requiredâ€, the statement further read.
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The NCDC, therefore, urged Nigerians to practice good hand hygiene, wash hands with soap under running water or use alcohol-based sanitisers, avoid contact with symptomatic persons – do not touch anyone with unexplained fever, bleeding, vomiting, or diarrhoea.
Minimise animal-to-human risk, avoid contact with fruit bats, monkeys, or apes; handle animals with gloves and protective clothing; ensure animal products are thoroughly cooked before eating. Avoid contact with body fluids – including blood, vomit, saliva, urine, or other fluids from suspected or confirmed cases.• Seek help immediately if someone with a travel history to affected countries develops symptoms, call 6232 or the State Ministry of Health hotline for guidance. Avoid rumours: rely on official and authorised sources.
