On September 7, 2025, Nigeria’s health authorities moved swiftly to reassure the public: there are no confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) within the country, despite a deadly outbreak sweeping through the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This announcement, delivered by Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), comes as concern rises across West and Central Africa over the spread of the highly infectious virus.
The DRC Ministry of Health confirmed earlier this week that Kasai Province was grappling with 28 suspected Ebola cases and 15 deaths, including four among health workers. The outbreak, which began in the Bulape and Mweka health zones, has been particularly severe, with a mortality rate estimated at 57%. According to the NCDC, laboratory tests at the National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa identified the culprit as the Ebola Zaire strain—a variant notorious for its high fatality and rapid transmission.
The NCDC’s public health advisory, issued from Abuja on Saturday, underscored the seriousness of the situation. "There are no cases of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria, as of now," Dr. Idris stated, emphasizing that the country was on high alert. Surveillance has been intensified at all entry points, healthcare facilities, and within communities. The aim: to prevent any possible importation or transmission of the virus.
Memories of Nigeria’s only previous Ebola scare in 2014 remain fresh for many. That year, a traveler from Liberia triggered an outbreak that resulted in 20 cases and eight deaths before Nigeria, through coordinated public health measures, successfully contained the virus. The current situation in the DRC, however, serves as a stark reminder of the virus’s potential to cross borders and overwhelm health systems if not checked early.
According to BBC and the News Agency of Nigeria, the DRC’s Ministry of Health responded by activating its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre and deploying a National Rapid Response Team. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also stepped in to support surveillance, infection prevention, laboratory diagnostics, and case management. These efforts, authorities hope, will help stem the tide of the outbreak.
The NCDC’s advisory included a detailed explanation of the Ebola virus and its transmission. Ebola, formerly known as Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever, is a severe and often deadly disease caused by one of five distinct species of the virus—Bundibugyo, Reston, Tai Forest, Sudan, and Zaire (the strain currently in the DRC). The virus spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected humans or animals, especially during butchering, cooking, or eating infected wildlife. Human-to-human transmission is most common, occurring when blood, saliva, vomit, urine, or other secretions enter a person’s body via broken skin or mucous membranes.
Symptoms of Ebola can appear anywhere from two to 21 days after exposure. Early signs include sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat. As the disease progresses, patients may experience vomiting, diarrhoea, jaundice, and, in severe cases, uncontrolled bleeding from body orifices, organ failure, and shock. In fatal cases, death often occurs between eight and nine days after symptoms first appear.
Dr. Idris highlighted the importance of early detection and isolation of patients, as well as supportive treatment, in reducing the risk of death. He also emphasized the role of infection control in health facilities and the need for safe burial practices to curb transmission. "Healthcare workers are advised to maintain a high index of suspicion for EVD in their encounter with patients," Idris warned, urging strict adherence to infection prevention protocols and immediate reporting of suspected cases to the NCDC or State Ministry of Health.
To protect the public, the NCDC issued a series of preventive recommendations. Nigerians are urged to practice good hand hygiene—washing hands regularly with soap and water or using hand sanitizer when soap isn’t available. Physical contact with anyone exhibiting symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, or unexplained bleeding should be avoided. The advisory also cautioned against consuming raw or undercooked bushmeat and contact with fruit bats, monkeys, or apes, which are known reservoirs for the Ebola virus.
For Nigerians who suspect they or someone they know might have symptoms of Ebola—especially if there’s a history of recent travel to affected areas—the NCDC’s toll-free line, 6232, is available for immediate guidance. The agency also recommended that travelers avoid all but essential trips to countries currently experiencing Ebola outbreaks, to minimize the risk of exposure and importation of the disease.
One glimmer of hope in the DRC’s fight against Ebola is the availability of the Ervebo vaccine, which has been proven effective against the Zaire strain. According to the NCDC, vaccination campaigns have played a crucial role in protecting vulnerable populations during previous outbreaks. However, given the speed and lethality of the virus, vaccination alone cannot replace the need for vigilant surveillance and rapid response.
Idris assured Nigerians that the NCDC, in collaboration with international partners, would continue to provide timely updates and monitor the evolving situation in the DRC and other affected African regions. "We will continue to monitor the regional and global situations. There are no cases of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria, as of now," he reiterated.
While the world’s attention has often shifted to other health crises, Ebola remains a persistent threat in parts of Africa. The current outbreak in the DRC serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of preparedness, rapid response, and public education. As Nigeria remains on high alert, health authorities are counting on the vigilance of citizens and the dedication of healthcare workers to keep the country safe from another incursion by one of the world’s deadliest viruses.
For now, Nigeria’s borders remain secure, and its people are urged to stay informed, practice good hygiene, and report any suspected cases promptly. The lessons of 2014 are not forgotten, and with continued vigilance, the hope is that history will not repeat itself.
