No Ebola Case In Nigeria – NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has announced that there are no reported cases of Ebola virus in Nigeria.

The agency made this statement in a public health advisory released today, September 6, in response to a confirmed new outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Earlier this week, the DRC Ministry of Health reported 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers, in Kasai Province as of September 4, 2025. Laboratory tests conducted in Kinshasa identified the Ebola Zaire strain as the cause of the outbreak.

In response to this situation, the NCDC noted that while no Ebola cases have been detected in Nigeria, surveillance has been intensified, particularly at borders and entry points, and healthcare facilities nationwide are being reinforced to enhance infection prevention and control measures.

“Early recognition, isolation of patients, and supportive treatment reduce the risk of death,” the agency warned, urging Nigerians to maintain strict hand hygiene, avoid contact with persons showing symptoms of fever, diarrhoea or bleeding of unknown cause, and avoid direct contact with wildlife or raw bushmeat.

The NCDC also advised healthcare workers to maintain a high level of suspicion, strictly adhere to infection prevention protocols, and promptly report any suspected cases.

The Ebola Zaire strain behind the current outbreak has an approved vaccine, Ervebo, and response teams, supported by the World Health Organisation, have been deployed to affected areas in the DRC.

Travellers are urged to avoid non-essential travel to countries with confirmed Ebola cases. Those arriving in Nigeria from such countries within the last 21 days who experience symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or unexplained bleeding are encouraged to contact the NCDC’s toll-free number, 6232, for immediate evaluation.

It may be recalled that on August 6, 2014, Nigeria recorded its first case of the viral disease when a Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyerr, arrived from Liberia. He succumbed to the disease, along with the nurse who treated him, Justina Obi Ejelonu, and the attending doctor, Amaeyoh Adadevoh. Six additional deaths were reported from the viral disease.

On October 20, 2014, the World Health Organization declared Nigeria free of Ebola.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli