Nigeria Strengthens Ebola Surveillance and Response Measures

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has activated surveillance systems, coordinated with key agencies and assessed laboratory and treatment infrastructure to boost national Ebola preparedness. Although no cases have been confirmed, the Presidential Ebola Task Force began response activities the moment an outbreak was reported. NCDC is working with Port Health Services, aviation authorities, immigration and customs to improve screening at entry points. Currently, five states with international airports are the initial focus. Travellers complete health declaration forms before arrival and any persons of interest are documented, monitored and referred to relevant states. The agency reviewed molecular labs and isolation centres set up during COVID-19 and secured N785.3 million for readiness activities. While many facilities need urgent rehabilitation, upgrades have begun in some states. A national Ebola contingency plan is being finalised, SOPs distributed and frontline personnel trained. On cholera, fatality rates have fallen below 1% in most states, with additional response teams deployed where sanitation challenges persist. NCDC plans further commodity procurement and orientation trainings ahead of the seasonal risk period and urges states to allocate outbreak funds in their budgets.

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