Following the discovery of an Ebola Virus Disease epidemic in Uganda, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention increased monitoring at the country’s entry points, including airports.
The agency also recommended Nigerians to avoid unnecessary travel to the impacted nations.
According to a public health advice released by NCDC Director-General Dr. Jide Idris, there are presently no documented cases of Ebola in Nigeria.
Idris stated, “There are no cases of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria.” However, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with relevant ministries, departments, agencies, and partners through the National Emerging Viral Hemorrhagic Diseases Technical Working Group, continues these efforts, including the update of our EVD emergency contingency plan and heightened surveillance, particularly at the points of entry, and optimising diagnostic capacity for EVD testing in designated laboratories in cities with international airports of entry and the National Reference Laboratory.
“In addition, all Lassa Fever testing laboratories can be activated to scale up testing if the need arises.”
Nigeria suffered an Ebola outbreak in 2014 as a result of an infected patient, Sawyer, entering the country from Liberia.
On January 30, 2025, Uganda reported an Ebola case caused by the Sudan virus species in Wakiso, Mukono, and Mbale City, all in Mbale District.
So yet, just one instance has been reported, with one fatality. 44 contacts have been found, and authorities are monitoring them.
The NCDC emphasized that Uganda has extensive expertise responding to Ebola outbreaks and has implemented the essential containment measures.
Ebola virus disease, previously known as Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever, is a severe and frequently deadly sickness with a fatality rate ranging from 25% to 90%.
The virus is classified into five separate species: Bundibugyo, Zaire, Reston, Tai Forest, and Sudan. The Zaire strain is the deadliest and was responsible for the 2014-2016 West African pandemic, whereas the Sudan strain is driving the current outbreak in Uganda.
