NCDC Warns Against Politicising Ebola Response, Says No Need To Restrict Travel

The Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, said Nigeria’s response to its first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease was guided by scientific evidence and not political considerations.

Idris, in a statement on Monday, said the country’s health authorities had maintained vigilance and precaution rather than panic since the case was confirmed on October 20.

He said the confirmation was made within 24 hours of receiving the alert in Abuja, adding that all identified contacts were under daily monitoring.

According to him, there was no active Ebola case at the time of the statement, although surveillance and contact monitoring would continue until the last identified contact completed the mandatory 21-day follow-up period without developing symptoms.

Addressing concerns over public events, elections, campaigns and travel restrictions, the NCDC boss said the prevailing situation did not warrant postponing elections, banning mass gatherings or restricting movement.

He said the agency had not recommended any of such measures but had developed technical guidelines for organisers of mass gatherings to ensure compliance with infection prevention and control measures.

Idris said events could proceed safely where organisers strictly adhered to the established health and safety protocols.

He added that NCDC would review its recommendations if new scientific evidence warranted a change in the country’s response.

The director-general described Ebola as a public health threat rather than a political tool, urging Nigerians to verify information through the agency’s official communication channels before sharing it.

He warned that rumours, panic and the politicisation of public health emergencies could erode public trust, undermine response efforts and expose communities to greater risks.

On the controversy surrounding the Federal Government’s N10 billion emergency intervention funding, Idris clarified that the allocation was not meant for Ebola alone but to strengthen preparedness against multiple epidemic-prone diseases.

He said the funding covered interventions against diseases including Lassa fever, cholera, cerebrospinal meningitis, diphtheria, measles, monkeypox and antimicrobial resistance.

Idris also called for sustainable investment in Nigeria’s health security system, noting that the country’s population of more than 240 million required deliberate financial commitments to strengthen epidemic preparedness.

He urged Nigerians to remain alert without becoming alarmed, assuring that the agency would continue to communicate verified information and respond to emerging public health threats.