The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has heightened Ebola surveillance across Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory and several frontline states following fresh outbreaks of the deadly Bundibugyo variant of Ebola in parts of East and Central Africa.
Health authorities cautioned that Nigeria remains vulnerable to a possible importation of the virus because of heavy cross-border movement, international travel and expanding regional transmission.
In a public health advisory obtained by Persecondnews on Friday, dated May 27, 2026 and addressed to state commissioners for health, the agency identified Lagos, Rivers, Kano, Enugu, Borno, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Taraba and Adamawa as areas requiring intensified monitoring due to their airports, seaports and major border corridors.
State authorities were further urged to reactivate emergency response systems, designate treatment and isolation facilities, strengthen screening and monitoring at airports and border posts, and ensure health personnel are adequately supplied with protective gear.
The NCDC also called for aggressive public awareness campaigns to curb fear, misinformation and possible panic over the outbreak.
Persecondnews recalls that the World Health Organization (WHO) had earlier classified the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
The United Nations on Friday said the outbreak is worsening an already fragile humanitarian situation driven by conflict, hunger and displacement across affected communities.
According to the UN, emergency assistance has been expanded to include food supplies, clean water, protective materials and other critical humanitarian support for affected populations.
Although no Ebola case has been confirmed in Nigeria, the NCDC said emergency preparedness measures and rapid response systems have been activated nationwide.
The agency noted that Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have so far recorded 1,077 suspected cases and 247 deaths linked to the outbreak.
It also added that the outbreak has triggered international concern, with suspected cases reportedly identified in India, while Canada announced temporary restrictions on travel applications involving residents of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
Uganda has also reportedly introduced border closure measures aimed at containing the spread of the virus.
The NCDC noted that the Bundibugyo strain differs significantly from the more common Zaire Ebola variant, with existing vaccines and antibody therapies offering limited protection, raising fresh concerns over preparedness and containment efforts across the region.
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