The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has called for continuous vigilance from the public as Nigeria expects clearance from the World Health Organization (WHO) on Ebola spread in the country.
The NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, called for nationwide alert on Tuesday as he gave an update after the country confirmed an imported case of Bundibugyo Virus Disease in a traveller from Uganda recently.
According to him, although there are no reported new cases in the country, it is not over, as there are still 28 contacts being monitored before the WHO can give Nigeria a clean bill of health on the Ebola virus.
The development was after Idris, on Tuesday, noted that 34 of the 62 contacts identified in connection with the case had completed their individual 21-day monitoring period as of November 9, while the remaining 28 were still under follow-up.
He said the agency was sustaining contact tracing, investigation of reported alerts, laboratory testing and surveillance at points of entry in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the FCT Administration, state authorities and development partners.
Dr Jide Idris, general director of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), addresses a press briefing in Abuja, on October 25, 2026. (Photo by TAIBAT AJIBOYE / AFP)
Idris cautioned against interpreting the 21 days since the first case was confirmed as the monitoring period for all identified contacts, explaining that each person has a separate 21-day follow-up period.
“It’s remaining 28, and not all of them will go at once. So, although they have done 21 days in exclusion, they are still there.
“Because they have left the quarantine does not mean we are Ebola-free. We can only be declared Ebola-free after another 21 days again. And it is not by ourselves to declare ourselves Ebola-free. WHO must be involved.
“So as at now, although we don’t have any new case, we still have to be vigilant. We are still not Ebola-free.
“Our surveillance system and contact tracing is throughout Nigeria. Some people manage the airport, other people manage the land borders. And you will recollect that we had alerts from Adamawa State and Rivers State. I think the last one was in Borno state that came through the borders. They all turned negative”, he said.
This combo photo shows NCDC officials on duty in Nigeria, and response team members helping to wear protective suits before burying a person suspected of having died from Ebola in Bunia, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, on May 25, 2026. (Channels TV/GLODY MURHABAZI / AFP)
He also stressed that being identified as a contact does not mean that a person has contracted Ebola. The monitoring is intended to ensure that anyone who develops symptoms is identified early and receives an appropriate response.
The NCDC urged healthcare workers in public and private facilities to remain vigilant, establish patients’ travel and exposure histories, observe infection prevention measures and promptly report suspected cases to public health authorities.
It advised anyone who develops symptoms after possible exposure to Ebola to avoid contact with others and call its toll-free line, 6232, for guidance before travelling to a health facility.
Beyond the Ebola response, the agency raised concerns over other infectious diseases, including dengue fever, chikungunya, diphtheria, cerebrospinal meningitis and Lassa fever.
It confirmed dengue fever cases in Sokoto and Zamfara states, as well as chikungunya in Sokoto State.
To support the affected states, the NCDC said it had deployed national rapid response teams, including entomologists from the National Arbovirus Research Centre in Enugu. The teams are assisting with case identification, laboratory investigations, clinical preparedness, community engagement and mosquito control.
This combo photo shows an air ambulance used to evacuate Nigeria’s index Ebola patient on October 26, 2026, and Health Minister Pate.
Idris warned Nigerians against assuming that every fever is malaria, noting that dengue and chikungunya could also cause fever, headaches, body pains and joint pains.
He said severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding and difficulty breathing could be warning signs of serious dengue complications and require urgent medical attention.
The agency also called on states in the meningitis belt to strengthen surveillance, diagnostic services, clinical preparedness and vaccination responses as the dry season advances.
On diphtheria, the NCDC said the disease remained a serious concern, particularly among children who had missed routine immunisation.
It urged parents and caregivers to check their children’s vaccination status and seek guidance on missed doses.
