Ebola fears Nigeria rise as NCDC assures no cases recorded while WHO reports outbreak surge across Africa

The Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Jide Idris, on Thursday in Lagos, Nigeria, May 22, 2026, reassured Nigerians that no case of Ebola Virus Disease has been recorded in the country despite rising outbreaks across parts of Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan.

Also read: FIFA Monitors DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Closely

The confirmation came amid growing public anxiety triggered by increasing deaths and hospital admissions in affected countries, a situation that has intensified regional surveillance and border monitoring across the continent.

Dr Idris stated that the agency had activated public health emergency measures in coordination with the Port Health Services of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, as well as international partners, to strengthen preparedness at all entry points, including international airports.

The NCDC emphasised enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, contact tracing and risk communication as part of a coordinated national response framework designed to prevent importation and spread.

Despite these assurances, concern continues to grow among Nigerians, with some citizens expressing fears over porous land borders and the possibility of weak compliance among frontline officials at entry points.

The anxiety has been further fuelled by reports of expanding outbreaks across Central and East Africa, where the World Health Organization has confirmed a rapid increase in cases and fatalities.

WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus disclosed that more than 600 cases and 130 deaths had been recorded across affected countries, warning that the figures could rise as surveillance and field operations intensify.

The organisation also cautioned against unnecessary travel restrictions, stressing that such measures could drive unmonitored cross border movement and worsen the spread of infection.

Health experts have urged heightened vigilance, noting that Ebola Virus Disease has an incubation period of up to 21 days and often presents with symptoms similar to common febrile illnesses, making early detection critical.

In Nigeria, memories of the 2014 outbreak remain vivid, particularly the case of Liberian American Patrick Sawyer, which led to a swift response that ultimately contained the virus after 20 confirmed and probable cases and eight deaths.

Public reaction to the current outbreak has been mixed, with some Nigerians increasing personal hygiene practices while others have called for stricter monitoring of recent travellers from affected regions.

A secondary school teacher in Lagos, Folake Adeyemi, said she has revived precautionary habits reminiscent of the 2014 outbreak, including frequent hand sanitisation and restricting the sharing of personal items among students.

A commercial driver, Homa Umeorah, expressed concern about rural awareness, warning that information gaps could hinder early response efforts if cases emerge outside major cities.

Health practitioners have also stressed the importance of sustained public education and preparedness, warning that reduced awareness since the last outbreak could weaken response capacity.

Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association Lagos Branch, Dr Ewonowo Temidire Sunday, said Lagos remains on high alert, noting that healthcare facilities are reinforcing infection control training and emergency response protocols.

Dr Sunday added that preparedness must extend beyond major hospitals to include private clinics and primary health centres, where early detection is most likely to occur.

Environmental health practitioner Nelson Confidence called for urgent refresher training for frontline workers and renewed rural sensitisation campaigns, warning that complacency could undermine national readiness.

He stressed that early detection, contact tracing and community engagement remain essential tools in preventing transmission.

Medical experts, including Dr Ifeoma Abassah in Abuja, also urged continued vigilance among healthcare workers, particularly in screening patients with fever and travel history to affected countries.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed it has activated emergency coordination mechanisms, including a 72 hour incident action plan and deployment of response teams to affected regions.

Also read: Lagos Activates Ebola Response after Congo Outbreak Alert

Authorities across Africa continue to monitor the outbreak closely as health agencies intensify preparedness measures to prevent further international spread.