FG Confirms Nigeria Has No Ebola Case, Boosts Preparedness

ABUJA — The Federal Government has reassured Nigerians that the country has no confirmed case of Ebola virus disease. The assurance came as the government simultaneously announced enhanced preparedness measures in response to the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

Minister of Health Prof. Ali Pate made the announcement in a statement on Thursday. He said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has activated its highest level of disease surveillance and is monitoring the outbreak in central and east Africa very closely.

“Nigeria currently has no confirmed case of Ebola virus disease. However, we are not complacent. We are taking every necessary precaution to ensure that our country remains protected,” Pate said.

NCDC Director-General Dr. Jide Idris separately warned against the spread of misinformation about Ebola in Nigeria. He said false reports of Ebola cases in Nigerian states are circulating on social media and causing unnecessary panic. He urged Nigerians to rely only on official NCDC communications for health information.

What Nigeria Is Doing

The NCDC has deployed rapid response teams and strengthened surveillance at all major airports and land border crossings. Health workers are screening passengers arriving from DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan. The agency has also alerted all state health ministries to increase vigilance at primary health facilities.

In addition, isolation wards at designated hospitals across all 36 states and the FCT have been put on standby. Personal protective equipment stockpiles have been reviewed. Laboratory capacity for Ebola testing has been confirmed at NCDC’s national reference laboratory in Abuja.

Furthermore, the federal government is working with the WHO, Africa CDC, and international partners to receive updates on the outbreak in real time. Officials say Nigeria’s response capacity has improved significantly since the 2014 Ebola outbreak that was successfully contained in Lagos.

Public Guidance

The NCDC advised Nigerians to avoid direct contact with sick people, avoid handling the bodies of deceased persons from unknown causes, and report any case of unusual fever, bleeding, or vomiting to the nearest health facility immediately.

The agency also clarified that Ebola and Hantavirus are different diseases with distinct transmission routes. Both have been the subject of public concern in Nigeria recently, but neither has been confirmed in the country. The NCDC said it will continue to provide timely updates on both.

Health advocates praised the government’s transparency in addressing public concerns. They said clear, regular communication from health authorities is the most powerful tool for preventing panic and ensuring that people take appropriate precautions without resorting to harmful misinformation.