By our Reporter
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has placed Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rivers, Kano and six other states on high alert over fears of a possible Ebola outbreak in Nigeria.
The agency said the move followed a fresh risk assessment, which classified Nigeria’s chances of importing the deadly Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus disease as “high.”
In a public health advisory sent to health commissioners across the country, the NCDC urged states to immediately strengthen surveillance systems, isolation centres, and infection prevention measures.
The warning comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the worsening Ebola outbreak in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Although no Ebola case has been confirmed in Nigeria, the NCDC said the ongoing spread of the virus across parts of Central and East Africa remains a serious threat due to frequent international travel and cross-border movement.
According to available figures from affected regions, there are already 1,077 suspected cases and 247 deaths linked to the outbreak, with a fatality rate of 24.6 percent.
The agency identified Lagos, FCT, Rivers, Kano, Enugu, Borno, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Taraba and Adamawa as the states facing the highest risk because of their international airports, seaports and border routes.
The NCDC noted that while all states are expected to maintain basic preparedness measures, the 10 high-risk states have been directed to urgently improve diagnostic capacity and set up dedicated isolation facilities.
The agency also stressed the need for heightened vigilance at borders and healthcare facilities to prevent any possible spread into the country.
