Ebola Alert: NCDC Urges Nigerian Health Workers To Heighten Vigilance Amid Regional Outbreak
As Ebola cases continue to rise in parts of East and Central Africa, Nigerian health authorities are moving to ensure the country’s frontline health workers remain prepared to detect and contain any potential importation of the deadly virus.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a fresh advisory to healthcare workers nationwide, stressing that although Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed case linked to the current Ebola outbreak, the risk of importation remains high due to international travel and cross-border movement.
In the advisory issued on 28 May 2026, the NCDC urged health professionals to maintain a high index of suspicion, particularly for patients presenting with fever and other symptoms after travelling to affected countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
The agency noted that the current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific antiviral treatments.
It warned that early symptoms often resemble common illnesses such as malaria, typhoid fever and Lassa fever, making prompt identification critical.
The NCDC also directed healthcare facilities to strengthen triage systems, adhere strictly to infection prevention and control measures, promptly report suspected cases, and ensure healthcare workers are adequately protected from exposure.
The advisory reaffirmed Nigeria’s preparedness capacity, citing its laboratory network, rapid response teams and previous success in containing Ebola outbreaks, while emphasising that vigilance remains the country’s strongest defence.
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