The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a public health advisory confirming that Nigeria currently has no recorded or confirmed cases of Ebola (EVD).
The official clarification comes in response to heightened public anxiety following a recent outbreak of the virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a subsequently reported imported case in Uganda.
While reassuring citizens that there is no immediate cause for panic, the apex health agency disclosed that it has proactively activated its national response protocols.
The NCDC is systematically strengthening border surveillance, enhancing laboratory diagnostic readiness, optimizing infection prevention controls, and scaling up nationwide public awareness campaigns to prevent any infiltration of the virus.
Health authorities emphasized that early detection and rapid response mechanisms have been optimized at all major points of entry to ensure the country’s public health safety.
Ebola Virus Disease is a severe, often fatal viral illness in humans, and public health officials reiterate that understanding the nature of the virus is critical to maintaining collective vigilance.
The virus is primarily transmitted to humans through close, direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or animals, as well as through contact with materials, such as bedding or clothing, contaminated with these fluids.
The NCDC urged the public to be aware of the primary symptoms of EVD, which typically manifest as sudden high fever, severe headache, intense body weakness, muscle pain, and gastrointestinal distress including vomiting and diarrhea, with unexplained bleeding or bruising occurring in advanced and severe cases.
In its advisory, the NCDC strongly urged Nigerians to remain calm and focused on preventive health habits rather than fear. Citizens are advised to maintain strict hand hygiene by washing their hands regularly with soap and running water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
The NCDC further warned against the propagation of unverified health claims and panic-inducing rumors on social media, stressing that misinformation undermines containment strategies and advising the public to rely strictly on official updates from verified public health channels.
Members of the public are also reminded to be observant, ensuring that any instances of unusual or severe illnesses are reported immediately to the nearest healthcare facility to guarantee swift medical evaluation.