The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has placed Nigeria on high risk of Ebola importation due to the ongoing transmission in the DRC and Uganda, international travel and population movement as well as the uncertainty regarding the full magnitude of the outbreak.

This followed a dynamic risk assessment conducted by the agency which estimated the risk of Ebola importation into Nigeria to be high and also identified high-risk states, border communities, major transport hubs, and Points of Entry (PoEs).

In a public health advisory issued yesterday in Abuja, Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris noted NCDC is intensifying national coordination activities to strengthen Ebola preparedness and rapid response capacity across the country adding that the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is on the alert mode for heightened preparedness.

He noted that though Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) associated with the current regional outbreak as at the time of this release, however, in view of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) declaration by the WHO, and the rising no of cases in DRC and Uganda, our surveillance and preparedness activities continue across the country.

Idris observed that NCDC has intensified event-based surveillance and epidemic intelligence activities across the country, including enhanced monitoring of alerts, rumours, and unusual public health events to support early detection, reporting, and response activities.

He urged travellers arriving from countries with confirmed Ebola cases to monitor their health for 21 days and immediately report symptoms such as fever, weakness, vomiting or unexplained bleeding.

Idris called on Healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion and strictly comply with infection prevention protocols, including proper use of PPE and immediate isolation of suspected cases

He highlighted other measures taken by the agency to include coordination with State Epidemiologists, Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs), surveillance teams, and healthcare facilities continues nationwide to strengthen preparedness and ensure timely detection and reporting of suspected cases.

Idris pointed out that the National Incident Management System (IMS) has been activated with, clearly defined coordination, reporting, and escalation pathways while NCDC and partners are also mapping and preparing for prepositioning of critical response commodities, including PPES, IPC supplies, body bags, laboratory consumables, and emergency medical supplies in strategic locations.

He observed that Nigeria maintains existing laboratory testing capability in States with international Ports of Entry (PoE) and the public health laboratory network, with surge capacity and optimization for Ebola Virus Disease testing available if required.

Idris noted that the NCDC and relevant laboratory networks are also strengthening sample collection, packaging, transportation, and referral systems for suspected Viral Haemorrhagic Fever cases to support timely diagnosis and response activities.

He said, “Coordination with designated Viral Haemorrhagic Fever testing laboratories (both public and private) remains ongoing, alongside reinforcement of biosafety and biosecurity procedures across the laboratory network”.

“We conducted a dynamic risk assessment to guide our anticipatory and response measures, the assessment also must be noted that Nigeria maintains important response capacities, including laboratory capability, trained rapid response teams, functional Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs), established Viral Haemorrhagic Fever preparedness structures, and prior experience in successfully responding to Ebola and other viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks.However, we also do realize that whatever we have must constantly be updated”.

Idris disclosed that epidemiologists and Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) are also on alert for rapid deployment to any affected state, if required and added that the NCDC is strengthening coordination with State Ministries of Health, Port Health Services, and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

He noted that there is an ongoing preparedness monitoring, readiness assessments, and situation reporting at national and subnational levels.

The NCDC boss said that the agency has disseminated Ebola IPC readiness tools and checklists to support preparedness activities in communities and is working with State IPC Focal Persons to support rapid Ebola IPC readiness assessments in healthcare facilities across the country.

According to him, refresher sensitisation for healthcare workers on critical IPC arrangements, triage systems, and early identification of suspected Viral Haemorrhagic Fever cases is also ongoing.

He advised states to incorporate Ebola preparedness into ongoing readiness activities, including designation of isolation and treatment centres, assessment of bed capacity, staffing, logistics, clinical management protocols, referral pathways, ambulance referral and patient transport systems, and availability of essential supplies for Ebola response.

He noted that the agency has intensified risk communication campaigns and launched aggressive rumour management initiatives to combat false claims surrounding the disease.

Idris urged the public to maintain regular hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with body fluids of sick persons, promptly report unexplained illnesses or deaths, and avoid spreading unverified information.