Nigeria Faces Serious Ebola Importation Risk — NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has warned that the risk of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) entering the country is high, following a fresh dynamic risk assessment conducted in response to the expanding outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

In a public health advisory released on Sunday, NCDC said the risk assessment was carried out to guide anticipatory and response measures, ensuring the country remains vigilant and prepared.

The assessment showed that the likelihood of Ebola importation is heightened by several factors, including ongoing transmission in neighbouring countries, increased international travel, population movement, and uncertainties regarding the full scale of the outbreak.

NCDC further noted that early detection may be challenging, as Ebola symptoms often overlap with endemic illnesses common in Nigeria such as malaria and Lassa fever raising concern about possible delayed recognition of cases.

The assessment also mapped out high-risk states, border communities, major transport hubs and Points of Entry (PoEs) where surveillance and readiness activities have now been intensified.

“This assessment estimated the risk of Ebola importation into Nigeria as high due to the ongoing transmission in the DRC and Uganda, international travel and population movement, uncertainty regarding the full magnitude of the outbreak, and the potential for delayed recognition because symptoms may overlap with endemic diseases such as malaria and Lassa fever.

“It also identified high-risk states, border communities, major transport hubs, and Points of Entry (PoEs),” the agency explained.

It said these locations represent critical points for timely case detection, isolation and response should an imported case occur.

NCDC assured the public that it has strengthened coordination through the National Incident Management System and placed the National Emergency Operations Centre on alert mode, while urging Nigerians to remain calm and adhere to public health advisories.