NCDC activates emergency response as Ebola outbreak raises concern in Nigeria

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has heightened Ebola surveillance across the country, warning that Nigeria is at high risk of Ebola Virus Disease importation amid rising cases in Central and East Africa.

The agency’s Director-General, Jide Idris, announced the development in a preparedness update issued at the weekend.

According to the NCDC, Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed Ebola case linked to the current outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, but authorities have already activated nationwide response mechanisms to prevent a possible spread.

The warning comes after the World Health Organisation declared the Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

The NCDC explained that international travel, population movement, porous borders and delayed symptom detection remain key risks to Nigeria.

“The assessment estimated the risk of Ebola importation into Nigeria as high due to ongoing transmission in the DRC and Uganda,” the agency stated.

It added that symptoms of Ebola could easily be mistaken for malaria or Lassa fever, potentially delaying diagnosis and response.

To strengthen preparedness, the NCDC said the National Emergency Operations Centre had been placed on alert mode while the National Incident Management System had been activated.

Rapid Response Teams, epidemiologists and surveillance officers have also been placed on standby nationwide.

The agency said surveillance had been intensified at airports, land borders, health facilities and transport hubs to enable early detection of suspected cases.

“NCDC is intensifying event-based surveillance and epidemic intelligence activities across the country,” the statement read.

Healthcare facilities across Nigeria have also received Ebola Infection Prevention and Control tools and checklists, while healthcare workers are undergoing refresher sensitisation on triage procedures and protective protocols.

According to the agency, states have been directed to establish isolation centres, strengthen ambulance and referral systems, and ensure the availability of emergency supplies.

The NCDC also confirmed that laboratories at international entry points were on alert and capable of testing suspected Ebola samples.

To tackle misinformation, the agency said it had launched risk communication and rumour management campaigns.

“NCDC has developed and disseminated Ebola myths and facts materials to address misinformation and false claims circulating online,” it stated.

The public was advised to maintain proper hygiene, avoid direct contact with body fluids and report unusual illnesses immediately.

Travellers from countries with confirmed Ebola cases were also urged to monitor symptoms for 21 days.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State government has strengthened border health screening and surveillance following the outbreak in Central and East Africa, where at least 177 deaths and about 700 suspected cases have been reported.

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, said no Ebola case had been detected in the state.

“The Lagos State Incident Command System, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is on standby to coordinate emergency response if required,” Abayomi said.

He added that Lagos had intensified screening of flights arriving from East and Central Africa in collaboration with the NCDC and other federal agencies.

Africans Angle News