Ebola: Kano, FCT, Lagos, seven others on NCDC high risk alert

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has placed Kano, Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and several other states on high alert over the spread of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The alert was issued on Thursday in a nationwide advisory, following rising concern over cross-border transmission risks linked to increased international travel and porous borders.

Other states listed as high risk include Rivers, Enugu, Borno, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Taraba, and Adamawa, while Kaduna, Katsina, Bauchi, Plateau and others were classified as moderate risk.

The advisory comes after the World Health Organisation declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Although no case has been recorded in Nigeria, the NCDC warned that the country remains vulnerable and urged immediate strengthening of surveillance and preparedness systems across all states.

According to the agency, the outbreak in Uganda and the DRC has resulted in more than 1,000 suspected infections and 247 deaths, with young and middle-aged people mostly affected.

It noted that there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain, making early detection and rapid containment critical.

The NCDC explained that Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected body fluids, contaminated materials, or infected animals, and not through the air. Symptoms include fever, weakness, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, and unexplained bleeding.

The agency said its Emergency Operations Centre has been placed on alert mode, while states have been directed to submit readiness reports within 72 hours and report any suspected cases immediately.

NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, urged authorities to act swiftly, stressing that Nigeria’s past success in containing Ebola depended on rapid response, strict infection control, and public cooperation.