Nigeria has heightened Ebola surveillance and preparedness after Kenya confirmed an imported Bundibugyo virus case linked to the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo….reports Africa Daily News Desk
Nigeria has heightened surveillance and preparedness measures following Kenya’s confirmation of an imported Ebola disease case linked to the ongoing outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) stressed that there was no confirmed case of Ebola in Nigeria as of October 6, 2026.
In a statement issued on October 6, the NCDC said it had been closely monitoring the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and assessing its potential implications for Nigeria.
The agency said Kenya had confirmed an imported case of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus on the same day, adding that the development highlighted the risk of international transmission through travel and population movement.
According to the Kenyan Ministry of Health, the patient was a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the DRC. He travelled by road from the DRC to Kampala in Uganda before flying to Nairobi, where he was isolated and tested positive for Bundibugyo virus.
The patient later died, while Kenyan health authorities began contact tracing and other response measures.
The NCDC said Nigeria had already taken steps to strengthen preparedness since the outbreak was first reported in the DRC. The measures include early detection, isolation and referral, laboratory diagnosis, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, risk communication and protection of healthcare workers.
A National Ebola Preparedness Tabletop Simulation exercise has also been conducted to test response arrangements and identify areas requiring further attention.
Following the confirmation in Kenya, the NCDC said it was reviewing the risk to Nigeria and existing preparedness measures to ensure they remained appropriate to the changing regional situation.
The agency said the measures would be adapted and strengthened where necessary in coordination with national and subnational authorities and other partners.
The NCDC has urged Nigerians to remain calm but vigilant and to follow basic health precautions.
It advised people to maintain regular hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of people who are ill, particularly those showing symptoms associated with Ebola, and avoid contact with the bodies of people who have died from an unknown illness.
People were also advised to avoid handling sick or dead wild animals and consuming raw or improperly prepared bushmeat.
The agency urged anyone who becomes unwell, particularly after travelling to an affected country or area or having contact with a suspected or confirmed Ebola case, to seek care promptly at a recognised health facility.
Travellers to and from affected areas have been advised to remain vigilant and familiarise themselves with Ebola symptoms. They should monitor their health for 21 days after leaving an affected area, particularly if they may have been exposed to a suspected or confirmed case.
Anyone who develops symptoms should avoid unnecessary contact with others and immediately contact public health authorities or seek medical care while providing details of recent travel and possible exposure.
Healthcare workers have also been urged to maintain a high index of suspicion when assessing patients with compatible symptoms and relevant travel or exposure histories within the preceding 21 days.
The NCDC stressed that early Ebola symptoms can resemble other common febrile illnesses and advised healthcare workers not to wait for bleeding before considering Ebola in patients with compatible symptoms and relevant epidemiological histories.
The agency said it would continue monitoring developments in Kenya, the DRC and other affected countries and work with national, regional and international partners to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness.
