BY RITA OYIBOKA
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has charged state governments, healthcare workers, and facilities across the country to strengthen vigilance and preparedness following two recent suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) in Abuja.
The Director-General of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, in a public health advisory, confirmed that both suspected cases tested negative for Ebola and Marburg viruses. He disclosed that further tests are ongoing for other VHFs, including Lassa fever and Dengue.
According to the advisory, the most recent case involved a traveller who returned from Kigali and “responsibly presented himself immediately to a hospital in Abuja when he felt unwell.”
The NCDC commended his early reporting and the swift action of clinicians at Nisa Premier Hospital, Abuja, noting that their vigilance “ensured that our public health system was promptly activated and that the risk to the public was minimized.”
Dr. Idris described the traveller’s action as a “highly commendable and good practice all Nigerians are urged to emulate,” stressing that seeking medical care early, especially after travel, protects individuals, their families, and communities.
The agency also praised the FCT Epidemiology and Rapid Response Teams, the Port Health Services, the National Reference Laboratory, airline and immigration partners, and other stakeholders for their swift collaboration.
“Together, their actions exemplify how vigilance and teamwork prevent potential public-health emergencies,” NCDC stated.
On its part, the agency said it has conducted a Dynamic Risk Assessment in light of Ebola outbreaks reported in other countries and has activated anticipatory measures nationwide.
These include strengthening surveillance at points of entry, placing isolation and treatment facilities on alert, prepositioning infection-prevention supplies, and keeping national reference laboratories and contact-tracing teams on standby.
Beyond these immediate steps, NCDC said it is working with states and partners to upgrade isolation facilities, reinforce infection prevention and control (IPC) training for healthcare workers, conduct simulation exercises, and ensure access to vaccines and therapeutics if required.
The Centre urged state governments and Ministries of Health to support disease-surveillance officers, ensure isolation centres remain functional, and provide resources for rapid response.
It also charged healthcare workers in both public and private facilities to maintain “a high index of suspicion, apply strict infection-prevention measures, and report unusual cases immediately through the established IDSR channels.”
Private hospitals, the statement emphasised, “play a critical role in early detection and must be fully integrated into surveillance and preparedness efforts.”
While explaining the risks of Ebola virus disease, its transmission, and symptoms, the NCDC reminded Nigerians that early recognition, isolation, and supportive treatment remain the most effective ways to save lives. “This was the second suspected Ebola case NCDC responded to in a week; both were negative,” the Centre confirmed.
Nigerians were advised to practise regular handwashing, avoid contact with symptomatic persons, minimise animal-to-human risks, and seek medical help immediately if symptoms occur, especially after travel.
The public was also cautioned against spreading rumours. “Avoid rumours: rely on official and authorised sources,” the agency warned, adding that misinformation “fuels fear and stigma, discourages people from seeking care, and undermines public health response.”
The NCDC assured Nigerians that it remains fully committed to protecting public health, reiterating that outbreaks can be stopped before they start if everyone plays their part.
