The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has heightened surveillance across the country following the confirmation of an imported case of Ebola disease in Kenya.
The case, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, was linked to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, raising concerns about the possible international spread of the disease through travel and population movement.
However, the NCDC said there was no confirmed case of Ebola in Nigeria as of October 6, 2026, urging Nigerians to remain calm while observing necessary precautions.
In a statement signed by its Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, the agency said the Kenyan case “introduces a new dimension to the evolving regional situation” and underscores the risk of international importation through travel and population movement, including the possibility of importation into Nigeria.
According to the agency, the patient was a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the DRC and travelled by road from the country to Kampala, Uganda, before flying to Nairobi, Kenya, where he was isolated and subsequently tested positive for the Bundibugyo virus.
The patient later died, while Kenyan authorities commenced contact tracing and other response measures.
The NCDC said it had been monitoring the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and assessing its possible implications for Nigeria.
It said, “As a result of this latest development, NCDC is reviewing the risk to Nigeria and existing preparedness measures to ensure that they remain appropriate to the evolving situation.
“These measures will be adapted and strengthened as necessary, working with relevant national and subnational authorities and partners.”
The agency said Nigeria had strengthened its preparedness for Ebola in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Port Health Services, state governments and other partners since the outbreak in the DRC was first reported.
It said the preparedness measures included early detection, isolation and referral of suspected cases, laboratory diagnosis, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, risk communication and protection of healthcare workers.
The NCDC also disclosed that a National Ebola Preparedness Tabletop Simulation exercise had been conducted to assess response arrangements and identify areas requiring further attention.
The agency urged healthcare workers in public and private health facilities to maintain a high index of suspicion when attending to patients with symptoms compatible with Ebola, particularly those with a history of travel to affected areas or relevant exposure within the preceding 21 days.
It warned that Ebola could initially present with symptoms similar to other common febrile illnesses and advised health workers not to wait for bleeding before considering the disease.
“Do not wait for bleeding before considering Ebola disease in a patient with compatible symptoms and relevant epidemiological history,” the agency advised.
The NCDC directed that suspected cases should be isolated immediately, with appropriate transmission-based and standard precautions put in place.
Healthcare workers were also advised to use appropriate personal protective equipment and promptly notify public health authorities through established surveillance channels.
The agency urged Nigerians to maintain regular hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rubs and avoid direct contact with the blood or body fluids of sick people, especially those showing symptoms suggestive of Ebola.
It also advised the public against contact with bodies of people who died from unknown illnesses, as well as handling sick or dead wild animals and consuming raw or improperly prepared bushmeat.
The NCDC advised anyone who becomes ill after travelling to an affected area or having contact with a suspected or confirmed Ebola case to seek medical attention promptly at a recognised health facility and provide accurate information about their travel and possible exposure history.
Travellers to and from affected areas were also advised to remain vigilant and monitor their health for 21 days after leaving an affected area.
“If symptoms develop, avoid unnecessary contact with others and immediately contact the appropriate public health authorities or seek care at a recognised health facility, clearly disclosing travel and possible exposure history,” it advised.
The NCDC said it would continue to monitor developments in Kenya, the DRC and other affected countries while working with national, regional and international partners to assess the implications for Nigeria and strengthen preparedness.
“Nigeria’s experience with Ebola underscores the importance of early detection and rapid response in preventing onward transmission,” the NCDC said, urging state governments, healthcare workers and the public to remain vigilant and support ongoing preparedness efforts.
