Following the confirmation of the Ebola virus outbreak in Uganda, the Nigerian Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has recommended that Nigeria strengthen its domestic preparedness and that Nigerian citizens refrain from traveling to countries affected by the Ebola virus.
The center also announced that there are no known cases of Ebola in Nigeria.The NCDC, in a public health advisory, recommended that WHO not restrict travel to or trade with Uganda, but that Nigerians and residents should not travel to countries with known cases of the Ebola virus unless it is essential to do so.
The WHO recommended that travel to countries with confirmed cases of Ebola virus be avoided except in cases where it is essential. In Uganda, a case of Ebola virus infection by Sudanese species was confirmed in Wakiso, Mukono, and Mbale cities in Mbale district on January 30, 2025.
According to the country’s Ministry of Health, only one case has been reported so far, with one death (confirmed by postmortem). Forty-four cases are currently being followed up. We will continue to monitor the regional and global situation closely.In a public health advisory signed by NCDC Executive Director Dr. Jide Idris, the Center clarified that Uganda has experience in dealing with Ebola outbreaks and that the necessary measures have been initiated. Nigeria has not experienced an outbreak of Ebola virus disease.
However, the Nigerian Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), through the National Emerging Viral Hemorrhagic Diseases (EVHD) Technical Working Group, in collaboration with relevant ministries, agencies, and partners, has updated the EVD Contingency Plan, strengthened surveillance especially at entry points, designated cities with international airports.
The work continues to include optimizing diagnostic capacity for EVD testing in laboratories and national reference laboratories. In addition, all laboratories for Lassa fever may be activated to scale up testing should the need arise. Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is caused by the Ebola virus and has a fatality rate of 25-90%.
There are five strains of this virus: Bundibugyo, Zaire (the most lethal of the five strains and responsible for the most EVD outbreaks, including the 2014-2016 pandemic in West Africa), Reston ( Reston), Tai Forest, and Sudan (responsible for outbreaks that occurred in Uganda).
Infectious diseases are transmitted from animals to humans, and human-to-human transmission occurs through body fluids (blood, saliva, vomit, urine, feces, sweat, breast milk, semen), contaminated objects, or direct contact with infected animals such as flying foxes, chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, porcupines, and forest antelopes.
The virus can also be transmitted by contact with wild animals and unsafe burial practices. The incubation period, or the period between infection and the appearance of symptoms or signs, is 2 to 21 days. During an outbreak, those at risk are healthcare workers, family members, and others in close contact with sick or deceased patients.
The initial symptoms of EVD are: sudden onset of high fever with nonspecific signs and symptoms such as headache, body aches, muscle aches, weakness, vomiting, and diarrhea. The above symptoms may be followed by: in severe cases, uncontrolled bleeding from the orifices, malfunction and/or failure of multiple organs such as the kidneys, liver, and central nervous system, shock, and death.
Fatal cases often result in death within 8-9 days of onset. The Ebola virus shares the same classification as the Marburg virus, and both are classified as viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF).”
Based on the dynamic risk assessment conducted in response to the recent Marburg outbreak in Rwanda, the risk of EVD is also classified as moderate.
The moderate risk classification indicates that without mitigation measures, EVD is likely to occur in Nigeria and could have significant public health consequences.
Therefore, we need to take the necessary precautions; NCDC has informed Nigerians that vaccines and treatments are available for some strains of Ebola virus. The vaccine approved for the Zaire strain (EBV) is not currently available in the country, but is available from WHO Afro and does not prevent the Sudan virus.
He said, “However, early detection, isolation of patients, initiation of supportive care, infection control measures in health care facilities and homes, tracking and monitoring of contacts, and safe burial practices can significantly reduce the probability of morbidity and mortality.
Therefore, Nigerians are urged to strictly adhere to hand hygiene and take precautionary measures such as regularly washing hands with soap under running water or using hand sanitizers if soap and water are not readily available. Nigerians were also advised to avoid contact with persons with symptoms of undiagnosed infectious diseases. ‘Bats and primates in particular are known carriers of the Ebola virus.
NCDC also urged health care workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for EVD during visits with patients. The NCDC also urged health care providers to maintain a high index of suspicion for EVD during patient visits. NCDC also urged health care providers to immediately notify the NCDC or the State Department of Health of suspected cases for appropriate response and management.
The NCDC also urged health care workers to immediately report suspected cases to the NCDC or the State Ministry of Health for appropriate response and management.
Furthermore, while WHO recommends no restrictions on travel to or trade with Uganda, NCDC advised Nigerian citizens and residents to avoid travel to countries with confirmed Ebola virus cases, except when essential.
The following guidelines should be followed by anyone already in Nigeria who has traveled to or through an Ebola-affected country within the last 21 days and is experiencing symptoms such as fever, myalgia, sore throat, diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, abdominal pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising : Immediately contact 6232 or the State Department of Health hotline for evaluation and examination. Use public or private transportation and shelter in place to avoid spreading the infection until health officials can be contacted.
The NCDC recommends that the following actions be taken: continue to strengthen surveillance throughout the country, including at borders and airports, especially for travelers from infected areas; alert health care workers to raise the level of suspicion for suspected cases; strengthen laboratory capacity for rapid testing of suspected cases; and work with the WHO and African regional health authorities to monitor trends and share critical information.