The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has held an emergency coordination meeting and expanded surveillance nationwide following the confirmation of an imported Ebola Bundibugyo case in Abuja on October 20.
The Federal Government confirmed the patient, a female who arrived from Uganda, developed symptoms on October 7 and is now in isolation. 44 close contacts have been traced for monitoring.
In response, Oyo State says it has activated surveillance units across its 33 Local Government Areas. Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, said the state began preparedness since June 2026 under the One Health approach, in collaboration with the Ministries of Information, Agriculture and Environment and the Epidemiology Unit of University College Hospital, Ibadan.
Ajetunmobi said Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials on transmission, prevention and emergency contacts have been distributed to health facilities, infection prevention and control reinforced, and the Infectious Disease Centre at Olodo prepared. No confirmed case has been recorded in Oyo.
Other states on heightened alert:
-Ogun: No case as of Oct 21. 111 persons of interest from high-risk countries identified, monitored and discharged after surveillance. Public Health Emergency Operations Centre coordinating.
-Ekiti, Niger, Lagos, Kaduna: Intensified public awareness, risk communication via radio and TV, and capacity building for high-priority pathogens.
At the federal level, the Senate has called for emergency funds to stem spread and mandatory screening of all international travellers, while FAAN has placed airports on heightened alert. The US has also advised its citizens in Nigeria on precautions.
The medical academy warned Nigerians to avoid handshakes and hugs for now.
NCDC urged residents not to panic but to report sudden fever, severe headache, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, abdominal pain or unexplained bleeding. Incubation period is 2-21 days.
Oyo government advised regular handwashing, use of sanitisers and prompt reporting to health facilities rather than self-medication.
