NCDC places Lagos, FCT, eight other states on high Ebola alert

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has placed Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, and eight other states on high alert following an outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola Virus Disease in parts of East and Central Africa.

In a national public health advisory issued to health commissioners on May 27, 2026, the agency warned that Nigeria faces a high risk of importing the virus due to regional transmission, international travel, porous borders, and population movement.

States classified as high-risk include Lagos, the FCT, Rivers, Kano, Enugu, Borno, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Taraba, and Adamawa. These locations have international airports, seaports, border routes, or high human traffic.

The NCDC stated that although no confirmed case has been recorded in Nigeria, a risk assessment showed the danger of importation remains high. According to the agency, 1,077 suspected cases and 247 deaths have already been reported in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a fatality rate of 24.6 percent.

The agency noted that the Bundibugyo strain differs from the Zaire Ebola strain, which existing vaccines and antibody treatments target. The current outbreak has no licensed vaccines or approved therapeutics.

Health officials warned that Ebola symptoms can initially resemble malaria or Lassa fever, making early detection difficult. The NCDC stressed that Ebola is not airborne and spreads mainly through direct contact with infected body fluids or contaminated materials.

As part of emergency measures, the agency has activated its National Emergency Operations Centre in alert mode. State governments have been directed to activate preparedness structures, identify isolation centres, intensify surveillance at entry points, equip frontline health workers, and begin public sensitisation campaigns.

The NCDC also asked states to submit readiness reports within 72 hours.