The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has heightened vigilance and begun reviewing its preparedness measures following the confirmation of an imported case of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in Kenya. In a statement signed by the Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, on Tuesday, the……
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has heightened vigilance and begun reviewing its preparedness measures following the confirmation of an imported case of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in Kenya.
In a statement signed by the Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, on Tuesday, the agency said it had been closely monitoring the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and assessing its potential implications for Nigeria.
The NCDC said the confirmation of the case in Kenya had introduced a new dimension to the evolving regional situation, highlighting the risk of international importation through travel and population movement, including the possibility of the virus being imported into Nigeria.
According to the agency, the confirmed case involved a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the DRC before travelling by road to Kampala, Uganda, and later flying to Nairobi, where he was isolated and tested positive for the Bundibugyo virus.
The patient subsequently died, while Kenyan health authorities have commenced contact tracing and other response measures.
The NCDC stressed that there was no confirmed case of Ebola disease in Nigeria as of October 6, 2026.
“Kindly note, as of 6th October 2026, there is no confirmed case of Ebola disease in Nigeria,” the agency said.
It said that since the outbreak was first reported in the DRC, it had worked with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Port Health Services, state governments and other partners to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness.
The agency said the measures had focused on early detection, isolation and referral, laboratory diagnosis, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, risk communication and the protection of healthcare workers.
It added that a National Ebola Preparedness Tabletop Simulation exercise had also been conducted to test response arrangements and identify gaps requiring attention.
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“Finally, Nigeria’s experience with Ebola underscores the importance of early detection and rapid response in preventing onward transmission,” the NCDC said.
The agency urged Nigerians to remain calm but vigilant, advising members of the public to practise regular hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with the blood or body fluids of anyone who is ill and seek prompt medical attention when unwell, particularly following recent travel to an affected area or contact with a suspected case.
It also advised Nigerians to avoid contact with the bodies of people who died from unknown illnesses, handling sick or dead wild animals and consuming raw or improperly prepared bushmeat.
The NCDC urged healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion when assessing patients with compatible symptoms and a history of travel to affected areas or relevant exposure within the preceding 21 days.
It further advised health workers to isolate suspected cases immediately, apply appropriate precautions, use the required personal protective equipment and notify relevant public health authorities through established surveillance channels.
The agency also advised travellers to and from affected areas to remain vigilant, monitor their health for 21 days after leaving an affected area and immediately contact public health authorities if symptoms develop.
The NCDC said it would continue monitoring developments in Kenya, the DRC and other affected countries while working with national, regional and international partners to assess the implications for Nigeria and strengthen preparedness as required.
