The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has heightened vigilance across the country following Kenya’s confirmation of an imported Ebola case caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
The development has raised concerns about the possibility of Ebola being imported into Nigeria through international travel and population movement, particularly as the Kenyan case was linked to the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
However, the NCDC said there was no confirmed case of Ebola disease in Nigeria as of October 6, 2026, while urging Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant.
In a statement signed by its Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, the agency said the Kenyan case “introduces a new dimension to the evolving regional situation” and highlights the risk of international importation through travel and population movement, including possible transmission into Nigeria.
According to the agency, the confirmed patient was a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the DRC. He travelled by road from the DRC to Kampala, Uganda, before flying to Nairobi, where he was isolated and subsequently tested positive for the Bundibugyo virus.
The patient later died, while Kenyan health authorities have begun contact tracing and other response measures.
The NCDC said it had continued to monitor the Ebola outbreak in the DRC while assessing the potential implications for Nigeria.
It said: “As a result of this latest development, NCDC is reviewing the risk to Nigeria and existing preparedness measures to ensure that they remain appropriate to the evolving situation.
“These measures will be adapted and strengthened as necessary, working with relevant national and subnational authorities and partners.”
The agency said that since the DRC outbreak was first reported, it had worked with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Port Health Services, state governments and other partners to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness for a possible Ebola outbreak.
According to the NCDC, the preparedness measures include early detection, isolation and referral, laboratory diagnosis, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, risk communication and the protection of healthcare workers.
The agency also disclosed that it had conducted a National Ebola Preparedness Tabletop Simulation exercise to assess response arrangements and identify areas requiring further attention.
The NCDC urged healthcare workers in public and private health facilities to maintain a high index of suspicion when assessing patients with compatible symptoms, particularly those with a history of travel to an affected country or area or other relevant exposure within the previous 21 days.
It warned that the early symptoms of Ebola could resemble those of other common febrile illnesses, stressing that healthcare workers should not wait for bleeding before considering Ebola in patients with compatible symptoms and relevant epidemiological history.
“Do not wait for bleeding before considering Ebola disease in a patient with compatible symptoms and relevant epidemiological history,” the agency advised.
The NCDC directed that suspected cases should be isolated immediately, with appropriate transmission-based precautions applied alongside standard precautions.
Healthcare workers were also advised to use the required personal protective equipment and notify relevant public health authorities through established surveillance channels.
The agency said appropriate precautions should remain in place until the patient was safely transferred to the designated public health team for further assessment, testing and management.
The NCDC urged Nigerians to maintain regular hand hygiene using soap and water or alcohol-based hand rubs and avoid direct contact with the blood or body fluids of anyone who is ill, particularly people displaying symptoms suggestive of Ebola.
It also advised the public against contact with the bodies of people who died from unknown illnesses, as well as handling sick or dead wild animals and consuming raw or improperly prepared bushmeat.
The agency urged anyone who becomes unwell, particularly after recent travel to an affected country or area or contact with a suspected or confirmed Ebola case, to promptly seek care at a recognised health facility.
Nigerians were also advised to provide healthcare workers with accurate details of recent travel and any possible contact with a suspected or confirmed Ebola case.
The NCDC warned against spreading unverified information and urged Nigerians to rely on updates from the agency, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other official public health authorities.
Travellers to and from affected areas were advised to remain vigilant and familiarise themselves with the symptoms of Ebola disease.
The NCDC said travellers who may have been exposed should monitor their health for 21 days after leaving an affected area.
“If symptoms develop, avoid unnecessary contact with others and immediately contact the appropriate public health authorities or seek care at a recognised health facility, clearly disclosing travel and possible exposure history,” it advised.
The agency said it would continue monitoring developments in Kenya, the DRC and other affected countries while working with national, regional and international partners to assess the implications for Nigeria and strengthen preparedness where necessary.
“Nigeria’s experience with Ebola underscores the importance of early detection and rapid response in preventing onward transmission,” the NCDC said, urging state governments, healthcare workers and the public to remain vigilant and support ongoing preparedness efforts.