The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has assured Nigerians that no case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has been detected in the country, despite a fresh outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, said in a Saturday advisory that Nigeria had heightened surveillance at borders, health facilities, and communities to prevent importation.
The DRC’s Ministry of Health confirmed 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths as of September 4 in Kasai Province, including four health workers. The outbreak, caused by the Ebola Zaire strain, has spread across Bulape and Mweka health zones with a 57% mortality rate.
Idris said preparedness in Nigeria included infection control measures, border checks, and risk communication. He noted that the approved Ebola vaccine, Ervebo, is effective against the identified strain.
To reduce risk, NCDC urged:
- Regular handwashing with soap and water.
- Avoiding contact with individuals showing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or unexplained bleeding.
- Steering clear of raw or undercooked bushmeat and wild animals like bats, monkeys, and apes.
Nigerians were advised to report suspected cases via the NCDC toll-free line 6232, while health workers were urged to remain vigilant and adhere to strict infection prevention protocols.
Idris also cautioned against non-essential travel to Ebola-affected countries and assured that NCDC would continue to provide updates while working with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners to track the outbreak.
