28 Ebola contacts remain under surveillance in Nigeria – NCDC

Spread the wordThe Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has disclosed that 28 people linked to Nigeria’s first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease remain under surveillance, 21 days after the country confirmed the infection.

The agency, however, said no additional Ebola case had been confirmed since the first infection was detected on October 20, 2026.

The NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this on Monday during a national health security update, where he also raised concerns over five other infectious diseases requiring increased attention as the dry and festive seasons approach.

The diseases include dengue fever, chikungunya, diphtheria, cerebrospinal meningitis and Lassa fever.

Idris explained that 62 contacts had been identified following the confirmation of the imported Ebola case involving a traveller from Uganda.

He said 34 of the contacts had completed their mandatory 21-day monitoring period, while the remaining 28 were still being monitored.

The NCDC boss clarified that being identified as a contact did not mean an individual had contracted the virus, adding that surveillance was necessary to identify symptoms early and ensure prompt medical intervention.

He said the response, coordinated with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, state governments and development partners, remained focused on contact tracing, laboratory testing, infection prevention, safe clinical care and surveillance at points of entry.

Idris urged healthcare workers in public and private facilities to remain vigilant, obtain patients’ travel and exposure histories, observe infection prevention measures and promptly report suspected cases.

He advised anyone experiencing symptoms after possible exposure to Ebola to avoid contact with others and contact the NCDC on 6232 for guidance before travelling to a health facility.

Beyond Ebola, the NCDC director-general disclosed that dengue fever had been confirmed in Sokoto and Zamfara states, while chikungunya had been reported in Sokoto State.

He said the agency had deployed National Rapid Response Teams, including entomologists, to support affected states with case identification, laboratory investigations, clinical preparedness, community engagement and mosquito control.

Warning Nigerians against assuming that every fever was malaria, Idris said dengue and chikungunya could also cause fever, headaches, body pains and joint pains.

“Not every fever is malaria,” he cautioned, advising people experiencing persistent fever, particularly when accompanied by rash, vomiting or severe joint pains, to seek medical attention.

He identified severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding and difficulty breathing as warning signs requiring urgent medical attention, particularly where dengue infection was suspected.

Meningitis, diphtheria and Lassa fever threats

On cerebrospinal meningitis, Idris said the approaching dry season increased the risk of infections in parts of Nigeria’s meningitis belt.

He urged state governments to strengthen disease surveillance, diagnostic capacity, clinical preparedness and vaccination responses where necessary.

The NCDC boss also described diphtheria as a continuing public health threat, particularly among children who had missed routine immunisation.

He called on parents and caregivers to verify their children’s vaccination status and seek guidance on missed doses.

On Lassa fever, Idris warned that Nigeria was approaching the period when infections historically increased, urging state governments and healthcare facilities to strengthen surveillance, testing, treatment preparedness and infection prevention ahead of the seasonal peak.

He advised households to protect food from rodents, store food in covered containers and maintain clean surroundings.

With increased travel, concerts, religious gatherings and festivals expected during the festive season, Idris urged state authorities, event organisers and healthcare providers to make adequate medical, hygiene and disease-reporting arrangements.

He also called on state governments to provide frontline health workers and response teams with sufficient funding, equipment, logistics and operational support.

Idris urged Nigerians to seek medical attention early when unwell, protect themselves against mosquito and rodent bites, ensure their children were fully vaccinated, cooperate with public health teams and avoid spreading unverified information.

“Twenty-one days after confirmation of the imported Ebola case, our response remains active. We are also supporting states confronting dengue and chikungunya, sustaining attention to diphtheria, and preparing for meningitis and Lassa fever,” he said.

He added that Nigeria’s health security depended not only on responding to outbreaks but also on early detection, disease prevention and preparedness.