The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that no additional Ebola cases have been recorded in the country 21 days after an imported infection of the Bundibugyo virus from Uganda was confirmed. According to the NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, the agency has identified 62 contacts, with 34 completing their individual 21-day monitoring period.
Dr. Idris disclosed that 28 contacts still remained under active surveillance for Ebola disease in the country. He explained that being identified as a contact did not mean an individual had Ebola, stressing that monitoring enabled early detection and prompt response to symptoms. The NCDC is sustaining contact tracing, laboratory testing, surveillance, infection prevention, and investigation of reported alerts in collaboration with relevant federal and state authorities.
The NCDC boss urged healthcare workers in public and private facilities to remain vigilant, establish patients' travel and exposure histories, and immediately report suspected Ebola cases to public health authorities. He advised anyone developing symptoms after possible exposure to avoid contact with others and call the NCDC toll-free line, 6232, for guidance before visiting a health facility.
Apart from Ebola, Dr. Idris said dengue fever had been confirmed in Sokoto and Zamfara States, while Chikungunya was confirmed in Sokoto. This has prompted intensified surveillance and response activities. National Rapid Response Teams, including entomologists from the National Arbovirus Research Centre, Enugu, have been deployed to support affected states.
Dr. Idris warned Nigerians against assuming that every fever was malaria, noting that dengue and Chikungunya could cause fever, headaches, body pains, and joint pains. He urged people experiencing persistent fever, rash, vomiting, or severe joint pains to seek medical assessment, warning that dengue could become life-threatening when warning signs were ignored.
The NCDC director-general also discussed other health concerns, including cerebrospinal meningitis, diphtheria, and Lassa fever. He urged states to improve disease surveillance, diagnostic services, clinical readiness, and vaccination responses to prevent avoidable deaths. Dr. Idris advised Nigerians to ensure children were fully vaccinated, protect themselves against mosquitoes and rodents, seek medical attention early, and avoid spreading unverified information.
Dr. Idris acknowledged the Federal Government, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, state governments, frontline health workers, partners, and communities for supporting national health security efforts. He emphasised that early detection, disease prevention, and sustained preparedness remained critical to protecting Nigerians, adding that everyone had a role in safeguarding public health.
Key points
- The NCDC is sustaining contact tracing and surveillance to monitor the 28 contacts under active surveillance for Ebola disease.
- The agency has deployed National Rapid Response Teams to support affected states with case identification, laboratory investigations, and mosquito control.
- Dr. Idris urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and take precautions against mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue and Chikungunya.
