Nigeria on the Frontline: Mobilising to Halt Ebola Spread

By Abiemwense Moru

On Oct. 20, the Federal Government confirmed a Bundibugyo Ebola virus infection following laboratory tests on a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria from Uganda.

In response, officials have accelerated containment measures, including active surveillance, contact tracing and regional collaboration.

Experts have also emphasised heightened vigilance and improved preparedness.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, while announcing the case in Abuja, said the patient had been isolated and was receiving medical care.

Pate described it as “a contained case,” assuring Nigerians that government agencies and partners were working to prevent further transmission and strengthen public health safeguards.

The patient reportedly received treatment at a private hospital in the Federal Capital Territory before confirmation, prompting investigations into possible exposure among healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and other contacts.

Public health teams initially identified 44 close contacts and began tracing others who might have encountered the patient through healthcare services and international travel.

“Surveillance has also been intensified, and the private hospital where the patient was treated is receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures,” Pate said.

The response focuses on identifying possible exposures, monitoring contacts, isolating suspected cases and strengthening infection prevention, while encouraging residents to cooperate without creating unnecessary panic.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) convened its first Incident Management Meeting following the official declaration to coordinate response activities among relevant health institutions.

The agency said an Incident Action Plan was being finalised to guide interventions, clarify responsibilities and ensure coordinated action as the public health situation developed.

Its teams were conducting case management, enhanced surveillance, contact tracing and infection prevention and control, while coordinated risk communication remained a priority.

The NCDC reaffirmed its commitment to a timely, coordinated and evidence-based response, stressing collaboration among government agencies, healthcare providers and partners.

Nigeria’s response also extends beyond its borders, with the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) strengthening regional surveillance and monitoring developments alongside Nigerian authorities.

WAHO, a specialised health institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), said the patient developed symptoms on Oct. 7 after arriving from Uganda.

WAHO said it remained in contact with the NCDC and other relevant authorities to monitor developments and strengthen preparedness across ECOWAS member states.

The organisation held a briefing on Oct. 21 with directors of National Public Health Institutes across ECOWAS to discuss the evolving situation.

It emphasised that early detection, prompt reporting, effective surveillance and coordination among health services were essential to preventing and controlling epidemic-prone diseases.

WAHO urged residents to wash their hands frequently with soap and clean water or use alcohol-based sanitisers when appropriate.

It advised people to avoid direct contact with blood and bodily fluids of sick or deceased persons, including vomiting, faeces, urine, saliva and sweat.

The organisation also cautioned against handling infected people’s clothing, bedding and personal belongings, and urged safe, dignified burials conducted by trained teams.

Residents were advised not to handle or consume bushmeat or touch sick and dead animals, including bats and primates. Meat should be thoroughly cooked before consumption.

Anyone experiencing sudden fever, severe fatigue, body aches, vomiting, diarrhoea or bleeding should seek medical assistance and follow official guidance on possible exposure.

WAHO urged residents to rely on verified information and avoid spreading rumours that could create fear or undermine public health response efforts.

Worthy of note, the Academy of Medical Sciences of Nigeria commended the Federal Ministry of Health, NCDC and FCT authorities for responding promptly.

The academy recommended screening at airports, seaports and land borders, particularly for travellers from affected countries, alongside functional isolation and treatment centres.

It also called on public and private health facilities to enforce infection prevention procedures, provide protective equipment and report suspected cases promptly.

“The academy particularly commends the prompt commencement of contact tracing, the isolation of the patient and the intensified surveillance already under way.”

The academy explained that Ebola was not airborne but spread through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids or contaminated materials.

“As a simple and effective precaution, the Academy advises all Nigerians to avoid handshakes and other unnecessary physical contact, including hugging, during this period,” it said.

The guidance emphasises practical precautions rather than panic as authorities trace contacts and monitor possible symptoms among exposed people.

State governments have strengthened preparedness even where no infections have been detected, recognising that surveillance, early reporting and clear referral procedures are essential to containment.

In Ogun, Commissioner for Health Dr Tomi Coker said the state had recorded no case but had heightened surveillance and preparedness.

Coker said 111 persons of interest, comprising passengers from high-risk countries, had been identified, monitored and discharged after completing the required surveillance period.

The state’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre coordinates activities, while surveillance officers, port health personnel, health educators, clinicians and community informants have received training.

“Public sensitisation and infection prevention and control measures in healthcare facilities are being intensified,” Coker said, urging residents to obtain information from official sources.

In Niger, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Murtala Muhammad-Bagana, said the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre had been activated to strengthen surveillance and rapid response.

He said no Ebola case had been detected, but vigilance was necessary because of frequent transit and trade between the state and Abuja.

“To ensure state-wide readiness, the ministry is actively collaborating with the NCDC, WHO, and other key international partners,” he said.

In Enugu, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, said surveillance had been intensified across all 17 local government areas and the emergency operations centre reactivated.

“Surveillance activities around the Akanu Ibiam International Airport are also being strengthened in collaboration with Port Health Services and other relevant stakeholders,” Ugwu said.

In Edo, the Permanent Secretary of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Paul Eighemhenrio, urged residents to remain calm, observe precautions and report suspected cases promptly.

“Members of the public are urged to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and rely exclusively on official communications from recognised public health authorities,” he said.

The National Orientation Agency in Yobe also urged residents to practise hand hygiene, avoid contact with body fluids and report possible exposure promptly.

Acting State Director Hajiya Maryam Shettima warned against rumours and stigma, urging healthcare facilities to isolate suspected cases, maintain infection prevention measures and notify authorities.

Protecting healthcare workers has emerged as another concern; with medical laboratory expert Stephen Oricha warning that staff could face unnecessary exposure without adequate protective equipment.

Oricha, Deputy Director of Medical Laboratory at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, said infected healthcare workers could expose other patients, making staff protection crucial.

He urged the government to provide personal protective equipment, including gloves and sanitiser, to facilities nationwide, particularly grassroots centres with limited resources.

“As a healthcare worker we must exercise caution when attending to patients, we must ensure that preventive measures are taken,” Oricha said.

The Nigerian Medical Association’s FCT branch similarly called for strict infection prevention, adequate protective equipment, staff training and clear referral pathways across public and private facilities.

“No healthcare worker should undertake high-risk procedures or attend to suspected cases without adequate PPE, training, and safety measures,” the association said.

The Federal Government has also emphasised self-care, including hand hygiene and appropriate disinfection, as part of efforts to contain the imported case.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, made the call at the National Self-Care Conference 2026, highlighting individual responsibility alongside government action.

“Let me emphasise that self-care is also important in the prevention and control of infectious diseases, including Ebola viral disease, which Nigeria is currently working hard to contain, following one imported case that was reported,” Salako said.

Analysts say controlling further transmission depends entirely on robust collaboration, transparent data, swift contact tracing, and the continuous readiness of medical centers and community networks.

Although Nigeria’s 2014 Ebola response provides a proven blueprint, health experts emphasise that effective containment requires operational laboratories, skilled personnel, and consistent, proactive investments in healthcare infrastructure.

Consequently, public health authorities are advising the public to remain calm, rely strictly on authenticated updates, and cooperate with surveillance teams as the NCDC leads nationwide containment operations.