NCDC Raises Ebola Alert Over High Risk Of Importation
By Abdulbaqi Jibreel Ajao
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has said Nigeria is facing a high risk of Ebola importation, placing the country on heightened alert.
This was disclosed in a strongly worded statement by the NCDC Director-General Dr. Jide Idris.
The warning follows worsening outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, and the World Health Organisation’s declaration of a public health emergency of international concern.
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Dr. Idris stated that although no confirmed Ebola case linked to the current regional outbreak has been recorded in Nigeria, adding that the agency has activated nationwide surveillance and response systems as a precaution.
He explained that a recent risk assessment identified international travel, population movement, porous borders, and delayed recognition of symptoms as major factors increasing the country’s vulnerability.
The assessment also revealed that Ebola symptoms could be mistaken for malaria and Lassa fever, making early detection harder.
The NCDC added that high-risk states, border communities, transport hubs, and entry points were under strengthened monitoring.
The agency further announced that the National Emergency Operations Centre has been placed on alert mode, while the National Incident Management System was activated to coordinate a rapid national response.
It was also gathered that the agency has intensified surveillance across the country, particularly at airports, border areas, and health facilities, noting that officials are on tracking alerts, rumours, and unusual disease patterns to enable early detection.
“NCDC is intensifying event-based surveillance and epidemic intelligence activities across the country,” the statement added.
