NCDC strengthens Nigeria’s Ebola preparedness after Kenya confirms an imported case linked to the ongoing outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has heightened vigilance following confirmation of an imported case of Ebola disease in Kenya linked to the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a statement signed by Director-General Dr. Jide Idris on Tuesday, the agency said as of 6th October 2026, there is no confirmed case of Ebola disease in Nigeria, but it is reviewing risk and strengthening preparedness with relevant authorities and partners.
Idris said the Kenyan case involved a Kenyan citizen who had been living in DRC, where an outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus is ongoing.
The patient travelled by road from DRC to Kampala, Uganda, before flying to Nairobi where he was isolated, tested positive and subsequently died. Kenyan health authorities have commenced contact tracing.
He said the development has increased risk of international importation into Nigeria through travel and population movement.
“Following this latest development, NCDC is reviewing the risk to Nigeria and existing preparedness measures to ensure that they remain appropriate to the evolving situation. These measures will be adapted and strengthened as necessary, working with relevant national and subnational authorities and partners,” he said.
The DG said NCDC has been monitoring the DRC outbreak in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Port Health Services, state governments and development partners.
He urged Nigerians to remain calm but vigilant and to practise regular hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub, avoid contact with blood or body fluids of anyone who is ill, avoid contact with the body of anyone who died from an unknown illness, and avoid handling sick or dead wild animals and eating raw or poorly cooked bushmeat.
NCDC advised persons who become ill, particularly after recent travel to an affected country or contact with a suspected or confirmed case, to seek prompt medical attention and provide healthcare workers with accurate information about travel and possible exposure and to rely on information from official public health authorities rather than unverified reports.
