Nigeria Puts 21 States on Ebola Alert

Nigeria has placed 21 states and the FCT on high or moderate Ebola risk alert following renewed outbreaks in parts of Africa.

The federal government has identified 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as areas at risk of possible Ebola outbreak importation following fresh cases reported in parts of East and Central Africa.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) announced the alert on Thursday, saying it has moved the country into heightened preparedness due to growing concerns about cross-border transmission.

NCDC Director-General Jide Idris said Nigeria currently has no confirmed Ebola cases linked to the ongoing outbreaks. However, he warned that rising infections in neighbouring regions have increased the risk of importation through travel and trade routes.

High-risk states listed include Lagos, the FCT, Rivers, Kano, Enugu, Borno, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Taraba and Adamawa. These locations were selected due to international airports, active commercial movement and porous land borders.

The agency also classified Ogun, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Plateau, Kogi, Niger, Jigawa, Katsina, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Abia and Bayelsa as moderate-risk states requiring continuous monitoring and stronger surveillance against a possible Ebola outbreak.

Idris explained that the classification followed a recent risk review triggered by increased cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. He added that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had already declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, stressing the urgency of preparedness.

He warned that Ebola symptoms often resemble malaria and Lassa fever, making early detection more difficult. Health authorities in the DRC and Uganda have reportedly recorded 1,077 suspected cases and 247 deaths in the current outbreak.

The agency noted that the virus strain involved is the Bundibugyo type, which currently has no approved vaccine or specific cure. Officials said rapid detection, isolation, contact tracing and strict infection control remain essential tools in stopping spread.

The NCDC reminded the public that Ebola is not airborne and spreads mainly through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, contaminated surfaces or infected animals.

State governments have been directed to activate emergency systems, strengthen airport and border surveillance, prepare isolation centres and ensure health workers are properly protected.

Authorities are also required to submit readiness reports within 72 hours and immediately report any suspected cases or unusual fever clusters linked to a possible Ebola outbreak.

Nigeria previously contained Ebola successfully in 2014 after an imported case triggered a major but limited public health emergency in Lagos.

Should Nigeria’s preparedness focus more on border control or internal hospital readiness to prevent another outbreak?