The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has begun reviewing Nigeria’s risk of Ebola disease following Kenya’s confirmation of an imported case linked to an ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The NCDC said it had been closely monitoring the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the DRC and assessing the potential implications for Nigeria.
Kenya confirmed its imported case on October 6 after a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the DRC travelled by road to Kampala, Uganda, before flying to Nairobi.
The patient was isolated and tested positive for the Bundibugyo virus but later died. Kenyan health authorities have since commenced contact tracing and other response measures.
The NCDC said the case highlights the possibility of Ebola being transported across borders through international travel and population movement.
“While the case was linked to the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, its detection in Kenya underscores the risk of international importation through travel and population movement, including the possibility of importation into Nigeria,” the agency said.
Despite the regional development, the NCDC stressed that Nigeria had no confirmed Ebola case as of October 6, 2026.
“Kindly note that, as of October 6, 2026, there is no confirmed case of Ebola disease in Nigeria,” the agency said.
Nigeria Strengthens Ebola Preparedness
Since the outbreak was first reported in the DRC, the NCDC said it had been working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Port Health Services, state governments and other partners to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness.
The measures include improving early detection, isolation and referral of suspected cases, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, public risk communication and the protection of healthcare workers.
The agency has also conducted a National Ebola Preparedness Tabletop Simulation Exercise to test response plans and identify areas requiring further attention.
Following Kenya’s confirmed case, the NCDC said it was reassessing the country’s existing preparedness measures to ensure they remain suitable as the regional situation develops.
“As a result of this latest development, NCDC is reviewing the risk to Nigeria and existing preparedness measures to ensure that they remain appropriate to the evolving situation,” it said.
The agency added that preparedness measures would be strengthened or adjusted where necessary in cooperation with national and subnational authorities and other partners.
NCDC Advises Nigerians to Remain Vigilant
The NCDC urged Nigerians to remain calm but vigilant and advised the public to regularly wash their hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
People were also warned against direct contact with the blood or body fluids of sick individuals, particularly anyone showing symptoms that could be associated with Ebola.
The agency advised against contact with the bodies of people who died from unexplained illnesses and warned against handling sick or dead wild animals or consuming raw or poorly prepared bushmeat.
Anyone who becomes ill after travelling to an affected country or area, or after having contact with someone suspected or confirmed to have Ebola, should seek medical attention promptly at a recognised health facility.
The NCDC also urged people to give healthcare workers accurate information about recent travel and any possible exposure to Ebola.
It warned Nigerians against spreading unverified information and encouraged the public to rely on updates from official public health authorities.
Healthcare Workers Put on Alert
Healthcare workers in both public and private facilities were advised to remain alert when assessing patients with symptoms associated with Ebola, particularly those who recently travelled to an affected country or had a possible exposure within the previous 21 days.
The NCDC noted that the early symptoms of Ebola can resemble those of other illnesses that cause fever. It therefore warned healthcare workers not to wait until a patient begins bleeding before considering Ebola as a possible diagnosis.
Health workers were advised to apply standard safety precautions to all patients and immediately isolate anyone suspected of having Ebola.
They should also use appropriate personal protective equipment and notify public health authorities through established surveillance channels.
The NCDC said safety precautions should remain in place until suspected patients are transferred to designated public health teams for further assessment, testing and treatment.
Travellers Advised to Monitor Health for 21 Days
People travelling to or from affected areas were advised to remain vigilant, learn the symptoms of Ebola and monitor their health for 21 days after leaving an affected location, particularly if they may have been exposed to a suspected or confirmed case.
“If symptoms develop, avoid unnecessary contact with others and immediately contact the appropriate public health authorities or seek care at a recognised health facility, clearly disclosing travel and possible exposure history,” the agency said.
The NCDC said it would continue monitoring developments in Kenya, the DRC and other affected countries while working with national, regional and international partners to assess the potential implications for Nigeria.
Nigeria previously contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014 after an infected traveller from Liberia introduced the disease into Lagos. The NCDC said the experience demonstrated the importance of early detection and rapid response in preventing further transmission.
The agency urged state governments, healthcare workers and the public to remain vigilant and support preparedness efforts, promising to provide further updates as the regional situation evolves.
