Nigeria TV Info 

Nigeria Tightens Surveillance as Ebola Kills 80 in Congo

The Nigerian government has intensified disease surveillance and emergency preparedness following a deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has claimed at least 80 lives. The outbreak, linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has raised global concern due to the absence of approved vaccines or specific treatments for the strain.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the outbreak has spread across several health zones in eastern Congo, including Bunia, Mongbwalu, and Rwampara, with more than 240 suspected cases already recorded. Health authorities in neighboring Uganda have also confirmed cases, increasing fears of regional transmission across borders.

In response, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) announced heightened monitoring at airports, land borders, and seaports through collaboration with Port Health Services and other agencies. The NCDC said surveillance systems for Ebola and other infectious diseases had been strengthened nationwide to prevent any possible importation of the virus into Nigeria.

NCDC Director-General, Jide Idris, urged Nigerians to remain calm while observing strict hygiene measures, including regular hand washing, avoiding contact with bodily fluids, and reporting unusual illnesses to health authorities immediately. Healthcare workers across the country have also been advised to maintain high alertness and follow infection prevention protocols.

The WHO has declared the outbreak a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern,” warning that insecurity, population displacement, and weak healthcare systems in affected regions could complicate containment efforts. Experts are particularly worried because the Bundibugyo strain differs from previous Ebola strains for which vaccines exist.

Nigeria previously earned international recognition for successfully containing the Ebola outbreak of 2014 after an infected traveler arrived in Lagos from Liberia. Health officials say lessons from that experience are now guiding current preparedness efforts.