Ebola threat: FG places Lagos, FCT, Rivers, Kano, six states on high alert

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has heightened surveillance for Ebola in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and nine other states, including Lagos, Rivers, and Kano, following an outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain in East and Central Africa. The agency's public health advisory highlights Nigeria's vulnerability to the virus due to increased regional transmission and cross-border movement, emphasizing the need for states to enhance their emergency preparedness structures and surveillance at entry points. Although no confirmed cases have been reported in Nigeria, the NCDC's risk assessment indicates a significant threat of importation, particularly as neighboring countries like Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo face severe outbreaks. In response, the NCDC has activated the National Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate nationwide efforts, while state governments are urged to equip health workers and raise public awareness to prevent panic and misinformation.

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