Nigeria has heightened surveillance at airports, seaports and land borders following the continued spread of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said the country remains on high alert, with measures being strengthened to detect and respond quickly to any possible imported case.
The latest advisory was issued by the NCDC Director-General, Jide Idris, following a dynamic risk assessment and consultations with public health experts and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
According to the Centre, Nigeria’s preparedness measures will be reviewed continuously as the epidemiological situation evolves.
One of the immediate measures targets travellers arriving from countries experiencing active or relevant Ebola Virus Disease transmission.
The NCDC has advised such travellers to complete the Nigeria Health Declaration Form, which captures important health and travel information, including travel history, symptoms and possible exposure to infectious diseases.
“Passengers from all other countries are exempted from completing the form at this time,” the agency said.
The move is part of Nigeria’s broader strategy of using surveillance at points of entry as an early warning system against the importation of infectious diseases.
Nigeria had previously assessed the risk of Ebola importation as high in May following the emergence of the Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the DRC and Uganda.
At the time, the NCDC identified international travel, regional population movement, major airports and seaports, porous land borders, informal crossings and major trade routes as factors capable of increasing the risk of an imported case.
Congo Outbreak Continues to Grow
The latest alert comes as the Ebola outbreak in the DRC continues to expand.
Data cited by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) showed that the DRC had recorded 7,672 confirmed cases and 3,699 deaths as of September 20, based on information available up to September 19.
The agency also reported that 886 patients were hospitalised in isolation, while 1,879 people who tested positive for the Bundibugyo virus had recovered.
Ituri Province remains the epicentre of the outbreak, accounting for 5,913 confirmed cases and 2,703 deaths across 28 of its 36 health zones.
The ECDC said a further 58 confirmed cases and 23 deaths were recorded during the latest reporting period, with new infections reported in Ituri, North Kivu, Haut-Uélé and Tshopo.
The scale of the outbreak has also triggered additional international assistance.
On September 21, the ECDC announced the deployment of two epidemiologists to the DRC to strengthen disease surveillance and support the wider outbreak response.
No Licensed Vaccine for Bundibugyo Virus
The current outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus, a species of ebolavirus.
The ECDC says there are currently no licensed vaccines, post-exposure prophylaxis or specific treatments for disease caused by the virus.
This makes early detection, isolation of suspected cases, contact tracing and strict infection-prevention measures particularly important in containing transmission.
Against this background, the NCDC has urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and seek medical attention promptly if they develop symptoms consistent with Ebola.
People who become ill following possible exposure or travel to an affected area are also advised to provide healthcare workers with accurate information about their travel history and possible exposure.
The NCDC stressed that the measures currently being implemented are precautionary and based on its assessment of the evolving regional health threat.
Nigeria’s experience in responding to previous infectious disease outbreaks has placed strong emphasis on early detection, surveillance, contact tracing and monitoring at points of entry.
The current measures are therefore aimed at identifying potential imported cases as early as possible, particularly given the high volume of movement between Nigeria and other African countries.
The NCDC said it remains committed to protecting Nigerians through evidence-based surveillance, preparedness and response to public health threats.
The development also highlights the importance of maintaining vigilance despite the absence of a confirmed case in Nigeria. The NCDC’s May advisory had stated that Nigeria had no confirmed case of the 2026 Bundibugyo outbreak at that time.
With the DRC continuing to battle rising case numbers and international health agencies reinforcing their response, Nigerian authorities are stepping up surveillance and preparedness at the country’s borders to reduce the risk of the virus being imported and establishing transmission in Nigeria.
