The Nigeria Centre for Illness Management and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that there are not any circumstances of Ebola virus illness in Nigeria.
The company, nevertheless, issued a public well being advisory following the affirmation of an Ebola Virus Illness (EVD) outbreak within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In line with the Director Common of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, the DRC’s Ministry of Well being reported the outbreak in Kasai Province, the place 28 suspected circumstances and 15 deaths, together with 4 well being staff, had been recorded as of September 4, 2025.
This improvement comes amid reviews of a brand new Ebola outbreak within the central African nation.
Within the advisory issued Saturday in Abuja, Dr. Idris mentioned Nigeria was on excessive alert, including that surveillance had been heightened at entry factors, healthcare amenities, and communities to stop the unfold of the illness.
He defined that the outbreak has affected the Bulape and Mweka well being zones, with investigations displaying signs akin to fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and haemorrhage (bleeding).
“Samples examined on the Nationwide Institute of Biomedical Analysis in Kinshasa confirmed the Ebola Zaire virus because the causative pressure.
“The mortality fee is estimated at 57%, though investigations and laboratory analyses are ongoing to refine the scenario,” Idris acknowledged.
He famous that the DRC has activated its Public Well being Emergency Operations Centre and deployed a Nationwide Speedy Response Group with help from the World Well being Group (WHO) to strengthen surveillance, an infection prevention and management, laboratory diagnostics, and case administration.
On Nigeria’s preparedness, Dr. Idris confused that there are not any confirmed circumstances within the nation in the mean time.
“The NCDC, in collaboration with related Ministries, Departments, Companies, and Companions, proceed to watch illness prevalence and provoke measures to strengthen our preparedness within the nation.
“Ongoing effort consists of heightened surveillance, particularly at our borders and factors of entry. There are additionally ongoing efforts to strengthen an infection prevention and management measures in healthcare amenities throughout the nation.
“Our danger communication and neighborhood engagement buildings have additionally been alerted to make sure well timed and correct data is offered to Nigerians in addition to observe and deal with perceptions, rumours and misinformation, “he mentioned.
The NCDC boss additionally reminded Nigerians that the Ebola Zaire pressure accountable for this outbreak has an accepted vaccine, Ervebo, which is efficient in stopping an infection.
“We’ll proceed to watch the regional and world conditions. There are not any circumstances of Ebola virus illness in Nigeria, as of now,” he mentioned.
Recommendation to Nigerians and healthcare staff
Dr. Idris urged Nigerians to apply good hand hygiene, keep away from contact with individuals displaying signs of an infection of unknown prognosis, scale back dangers of wildlife-to-human transmission by dealing with animals with protecting gear, and keep away from direct contact with the blood and physique fluids of suspected or confirmed Ebola sufferers.
He additionally cautioned travellers. “We advise residents to keep away from all however important journey to international locations with confirmed Ebola circumstances. Anybody in Nigeria with a current journey historical past to such international locations who experiences signs ought to instantly name 6232 or their State Ministry of Well being hotline for steering,” he warned.
For healthcare staff, he emphasised strict adherence to an infection prevention and management protocols, use of non-public protecting gear (PPE), and fast reporting of suspected circumstances to well being authorities.
Understanding Ebola virus illness
Ebola virus illness, previously referred to as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a extreme and infrequently lethal illness with a fatality fee between 25% and 90%.
The incubation interval ranges from 2–21 days.
Early signs embody sudden onset of fever, intense weak point, muscle ache, headache, and sore throat, adopted by vomiting, diarrhoea, and in extreme circumstances, uncontrolled bleeding, organ failure, and demise.
Extra insights
Dr. Idris added that whereas vaccines and therapeutics exist for some Ebola strains, “early recognition, isolation of sufferers, and initiation of supportive therapy stay important in lowering deaths and limiting transmission.”
He assured Nigerians that the NCDC will proceed to strengthen border surveillance, improve laboratory capability for fast testing, and coordinate with the World Well being Group (WHO) and African regional well being authorities to watch developments.
The company can also be concurrently managing different illness outbreaks, together with Lassa fever, meningitis, diphtheria, Mpox, measles, and anthrax, with periodic updates to be offered.
