The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a warning for nationwide vigilance following the confirmation of an imported case of Bundibugyo Virus Disease in a traveler from Uganda. NCDC Director-General Dr. Jide Idris highlighted the importance of ongoing monitoring as the country awaits validation from the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding its Ebola status.
Although Nigeria has reported no new Ebola cases, Dr. Idris cautioned that the situation is not yet resolved. As of November 9, there are still 28 contacts from the original case being monitored, with 34 of the 62 identified contacts having completed their 21-day observation period. He emphasized that each individual’s monitoring period is separate, and the absence of new cases does not indicate that Nigeria is Ebola-free.
Dr. Idris reiterated the need for a robust surveillance system across the country, particularly in light of alerts from several states including Adamawa, Rivers, and Borno. He clarified that being identified as a contact does not imply that a person has contracted Ebola; instead, it ensures that those who develop symptoms can receive timely medical attention.
In addition to the Ebola response, the NCDC has raised concerns about other infectious diseases such as dengue fever and chikungunya, which have been recently identified in Sokoto and Zamfara states. Rapid response teams have been deployed to assist with case identification and community engagement.
Healthcare workers are advised to maintain vigilance, particularly in assessing patients’ travel and exposure history, and to follow infection prevention protocols. The NCDC encourages anyone experiencing symptoms following potential exposure to Ebola to avoid contact with others and to seek guidance via their toll-free helpline.
The agency also warned against assuming that all fevers are caused by malaria, as symptoms of dengue and chikungunya can be similar. Parents are urged to ensure their children are up to date with routine vaccinations, especially in light of concerns regarding diphtheria among unvaccinated children.
