The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country, even as it activates nationwide preparedness and response measures following recent outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja, noting that health authorities are closely monitoring developments across affected regions in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and regional partners.
According to him, the Federal Ministry of Health, through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Port Health Services, and other relevant agencies, has intensified surveillance to prevent any possible importation of the virus into Nigeria.
Pate said Nigeria has strengthened its national preparedness framework, including enhanced screening procedures at points of entry, improved coordination with state health ministries, and reinforced laboratory diagnostic capacity.
He added that infection prevention and control measures have also been scaled up across health facilities nationwide, alongside intensified public awareness campaigns and community engagement efforts.
The minister urged Nigerians to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and continue observing basic hygiene practices such as regular handwashing and avoiding contact with bodily fluids of individuals showing symptoms of illness.
He also advised the public to promptly report any suspected cases or unusual illnesses to the nearest health facility for immediate attention.
Meanwhile, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that it is working with Port Health Services, the NCDC, and other relevant agencies to strengthen health surveillance at international airports across the country.
FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, said preventive measures have been intensified at all entry points, particularly for passengers arriving from high-risk regions.
He explained that airport health teams have been placed on heightened alert, with improved coordination, staff sensitisation, and emergency response systems activated to ensure rapid intervention when necessary.
On the global front, the World Health Organisation has raised concern over the ongoing Ebola outbreak in parts of Central and East Africa, warning that the current strain has no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the situation has become a significant regional threat, prompting the organisation to declare it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Health authorities in Nigeria maintain that despite the external risks, the country’s surveillance and preparedness systems remain active to prevent any potential outbreak within its borders.
