The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has tightened surveillance at the country’s points of entry as the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to record new cases and deaths.
Key Highlights
- NCDC has tightened surveillance at Nigeria’s points of entry over the Ebola outbreak in the DRC.
- Nigeria remains on high alert as the outbreak continues to record new cases and deaths.
- Travellers arriving from countries with active or relevant Ebola transmission must complete the health declaration form.
- NCDC urges anyone who develops Ebola-related symptoms to seek medical attention and disclose their travel history.
- DRC recorded 7,672 confirmed cases and 3,699 deaths as of September 20, 2026, according to figures cited by the NCDC.
The agency said Nigeria remains on high alert over the outbreak and was implementing additional preparedness measures to prevent the virus from entering the country.
NCDC Director-General, Jide Idris, disclosed this in a health advisory issued following the latest update on the Ebola outbreak in the DRC.
Idris said the agency is carrying out necessary preparatory activities to ensure Nigeria is ready to respond to any potential threat arising from the outbreak.
He said the measures would continue to be reviewed based on developments in the outbreak and ongoing public health risk assessments.
As part of the strengthened surveillance, the NCDC directed travellers arriving in Nigeria from countries with active or relevant Ebola transmission to complete the health declaration form.
However, passengers arriving from other countries are currently exempted from completing the form. The agency also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and seek medical attention immediately if they develop symptoms associated with Ebola.
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It advised people who develop symptoms to disclose their travel history and any possible exposure to the virus to healthcare workers.
The NCDC said the advisory follows a dynamic risk assessment and consultations with public health experts and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
According to the agency, the measures are part of efforts to strengthen surveillance, preparedness and response to emerging public health threats.
The latest figures cited by the NCDC showed that the DRC had recorded 7,672 confirmed cases and 3,699 related deaths as of September 20, 2026, based on data available up to September 19.
The number of patients hospitalised in isolation stood at 886, representing an increase of 58 confirmed cases and 23 deaths compared with the previous report issued on September 19.
The new cases were recorded across four provinces, with Ituri accounting for 38 cases, North Kivu 14, Haut-Uélé five and Tshopo one.
The report also indicated that 1,879 people infected with the Bundibugyo virus had recovered.
Meanwhile, 79.9 percent of identified contacts of confirmed cases in the affected provinces were under follow-up.
The NCDC said 197 new confirmed cases and 94 deaths had been reported since the previous European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control report of September 18.
The agency urged Nigerians, particularly travellers, to remain alert and cooperate with public health authorities as surveillance and preparedness measures are reviewed in response to the evolving situation.
