NCDC Raises Alarm Over Ebola Threat, Places States On High Alert
A fresh Ebola alert across parts of Africa has pushed Nigeria into precautionary mode, with health authorities warning states to strengthen surveillance before the virus crosses the country’s borders.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has placed all states and the Federal Capital Territory on heightened alert following the outbreak of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a national public health advisory dated May 27, 2026, the NCDC warned that Nigeria faces a “high” risk of importing the deadly virus due to increased regional travel, porous borders, and heavy population movement.
The agency disclosed that over 1,077 suspected cases and 247 deaths have already been recorded in the affected countries, with no approved vaccine or specific treatment currently available for the Bundibugyo strain.
According to the advisory signed by NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, the disease spreads through direct contact with infected body fluids and contaminated materials, not through the air.
The NCDC has now activated its National Emergency Operations Centre and directed states to immediately strengthen early detection systems, isolation centres, contact tracing, infection prevention measures, and public awareness campaigns.
States including Lagos, the FCT, Rivers, Kano, Enugu, Borno, Akwa Ibom and Cross River were classified as high-risk areas due to international airports, seaports, and border activities.
The agency urged health workers not to dismiss symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, unexplained bleeding, and severe weakness, especially among persons with recent travel history.
While Nigeria has no confirmed Ebola case at the moment, the NCDC stressed that “the window for preparedness is before the first suspected case is reported,” calling for disciplined public health action across all states.
Follow the Savinews Africa channel on WhatsApp:https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VawgaEL5vKA9Y5XTFg0n
