Kehinde Fajobi
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has urged Nigerians to avoid non-essential travel to Uganda and other countries with confirmed Ebola cases following an outbreak in the East African nation.
In a public health advisory on Saturday, NCDC Director-General Dr Jide Idris confirmed that there are no cases of Ebola in Nigeria.
However, he stressed that the agency has intensified surveillance at entry points and bolstered diagnostic capacities to prevent a possible outbreak.
Uganda’s Ministry of Health announced on 30th January 2025 that a case of Ebola, caused by the Sudan strain, was detected in Wakiso, Mukono, and Mbale. So far, one death has been confirmed, and 44 contacts are under monitoring.
“The Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe illness with a fatality rate of 25-90 percent,” the advisory stated.
“It spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids, contaminated objects, or infected animals such as bats, monkeys, and antelopes.”
Dr Idris explained that while vaccines exist for some Ebola strains, Nigeria currently lacks the approved vaccine for the Zaire species, which does not protect against the Sudan strain responsible for Uganda’s outbreak.
He emphasised that early detection, isolation, and supportive care, along with strict infection control measures, are crucial in curbing transmission.
Nigerians were advised to practice good hand hygiene, avoid bushmeat consumption, and refrain from contact with individuals showing Ebola symptoms.
Those with a recent travel history to affected countries were urged to call the NCDC emergency line (6232) if they experience fever, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting, or unexplained bleeding.
Healthcare workers were also instructed to remain vigilant, use personal protective equipment, and report suspected cases immediately to the authorities.
Despite the outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not recommended travel restrictions to Uganda. However, the NCDC stressed the importance of caution to prevent the virus from entering Nigeria.