The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has placed 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory on high alert following the growing outbreak of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In a nationwide advisory issued on Thursday, the agency warned that Nigeria remains vulnerable to possible importation of the virus due to increased international travel, cross-border movements and porous borders.
The states classified as high risk include Lagos, Rivers, Enugu, Borno, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Taraba, Adamawa and Kano, alongside the Federal Capital Territory.
The NCDC also identified several states, including Kaduna, Katsina, Bauchi and Plateau, as moderate-risk locations requiring heightened surveillance.
The alert follows the decision by the World Health Organization (WHO) to classify the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Despite the warning, the NCDC stressed that no confirmed case of the disease has been recorded in Nigeria.
According to the agency, more than 1,000 suspected infections and 247 deaths have been reported in Uganda and the DRC, with most cases involving young and middle-aged individuals.
The NCDC noted that unlike some other Ebola strains, there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain, making early detection and rapid containment essential.
The agency explained that the virus spreads through direct contact with infected body fluids, contaminated objects or infected animals and is not transmitted through the air.
Common symptoms include fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, skin rash and unexplained bleeding.
The NCDC disclosed that its Emergency Operations Centre has already been placed on alert mode and directed all states to immediately strengthen surveillance systems, submit preparedness reports within 72 hours and promptly report any suspected cases.
The Director-General of the NCDC, Jide Idris, urged health authorities nationwide to act proactively before any case is detected.
He emphasized that Nigeria’s successful containment of previous Ebola outbreaks was achieved through rapid response measures, strict infection prevention protocols and strong public cooperation.
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