Nigeria has been placed on high alert over fears of a possible Ebola outbreak as health authorities warn that the country faces a serious risk of importing the deadly virus from affected African countries.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirmed that emergency response systems have already been activated nationwide following the worsening Ebola situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
Although no Ebola case has been confirmed in Nigeria yet, the NCDC said the country remains vulnerable because of international travel, porous borders and movement between African nations.
According to the agency, airports, border communities, transport hubs and health facilities are now under intensified surveillance to quickly detect any suspected case before it spreads.
NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, explained that the government has already activated the National Emergency Operations Centre while rapid response teams and epidemiologists across the country have been placed on standby.
The agency also disclosed that hospitals nationwide are receiving updated Ebola prevention guidelines, while healthcare workers are being retrained on emergency response procedures and protective measures.
Laboratories across states with international entry points have also been placed on alert for rapid testing and diagnosis.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Government has stepped up screening at airports and borders as the Ebola outbreak continues to spread across parts of Central and East Africa.
Lagos Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, reassured residents that no Ebola case has been detected in Lagos, adding that the state’s emergency response structure remains fully active.
According to reports, about 177 deaths have already been recorded from nearly 700 suspected Ebola cases in parts of Africa, raising fresh concerns across the continent.
Authorities have now advised Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene, avoid contact with sick persons and immediately report symptoms such as fever, weakness, vomiting or unexplained bleeding.
The NCDC also urged travellers returning from affected countries to monitor their health closely for 21 days.
Despite the growing concerns, the agency reassured Nigerians that Ebola is not airborne and that there is currently no confirmed case in the country.
