Nigeria Intensifies Surveillance as Uganda Confirms Ebola Outbreak
Ebola Alert Issued for Nigerian Travelers
Nigerians have been urged to avoid non-essential travel to Uganda and other countries where the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has been confirmed.
This advisory follows the January 30 announcement by the Ugandan Ministry of Health confirming an outbreak of the Sudan strain of Ebola in Wakiso, Mukono, and Mbale City.
Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), stated that authorities in Uganda are currently monitoring 44 contacts to curb the spread of the virus.
Nigeria’s Response to the Ebola Threat
In response to the outbreak, NCDC has taken proactive measures to safeguard public health. These include:
Enhanced screening at international entry points, particularly airports.
Updated emergency response protocols to handle potential cases.
Strengthening diagnostic capacity in key laboratories, with Lassa fever labs available for Ebola testing if necessary.
Dr. Idris reassured Nigerians that no cases of Ebola have been recorded in Nigeria but emphasized the importance of early detection and containment since there is currently no approved vaccine for the Sudan strain.
Ebola Prevention Guidelines for Nigerians
The NCDC has issued guidelines to minimize the risk of an Ebola outbreak:
✔️ Maintain proper hand hygiene by washing hands regularly or using hand sanitizers.
✔️ Avoid direct contact with people showing Ebola symptoms such as fever, weakness, vomiting, and unexplained bleeding.
✔️ Refrain from consuming bush meat, especially bats and primates.
✔️ Seek immediate medical attention if experiencing Ebola-related symptoms after traveling to an affected country.
Dr. Idris also advised health workers to:
Use personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times.
Maintain a high level of suspicion and isolate suspected cases immediately.
Report all suspected cases promptly to health authorities.
Travel Advisory for Returning Passengers
While the World Health Organization (WHO) has not imposed travel restrictions on Uganda, the NCDC advised travelers returning from affected areas to self-monitor for 21 days.
Anyone experiencing fever, muscle pain, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding should:
📞 Call the NCDC hotline (6232) or their state health authority for immediate evaluation.
🏠 Self-isolate until a response team arrives for further medical assessment.
Dr. Idris stressed that Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, contaminated objects, or infected wild animals such as bats, chimpanzees, and monkeys.
Given its high fatality rate (25-90%), prevention and early intervention are crucial.
Nigeria Also Battling Other Health Crises
Beyond Ebola, Nigeria is currently dealing with outbreaks of Lassa fever, meningitis, diphtheria, Mpox, measles, and anthrax. The NCDC assured the public that it remains committed to:
Expanding surveillance to detect potential outbreaks early.
Enhancing laboratory capacity to manage multiple infectious diseases.
Collaborating with international health agencies to protect Nigerians.
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