NCDC Names Lagos, FCT, Rivers, Kano as High-Risk States for Ebola Importation from DRC Outbreak

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has officially named Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, Rivers, Kano, and several other states as high-risk areas for potential Ebola importation from the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

NCDC Director-General Dr Jide Idris announced the risk classification on Friday, warning that the Bundibugyo strain of the virus — for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments — poses a significant threat to Nigeria’s heavily populated urban centres.

10 States Listed as High Risk

The high-risk states are: Lagos, FCT, Rivers, Kano, Enugu, Borno, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Taraba, and Adamawa. The NCDC also classified Ogun, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Plateau, Kogi, Niger, Jigawa, Katsina, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Abia, and Bayelsa as moderate risk.

The classification is based on international airport presence, seaport activity, porous border proximity, and population density — all factors that increase the likelihood of a traveller importing the virus undetected.

Pharmacists Placed on High Alert

Coordinating Minister of Health Ali Pate confirmed that no case of Ebola has been recorded in Nigeria, but said surveillance has been stepped up at airports and other entry points. The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has placed all pharmacists on red alert, issuing emergency guidelines for surveillance, hand hygiene stations, and personal protective equipment.

PSN advised against indiscriminate dispensing of antimalarials and antibiotics for unexplained fevers, urging pharmacists instead to refer such cases to designated health facilities for proper screening.

DRC Outbreak Toll

According to the World Health Organisation, the DRC and Uganda have recorded 1,077 suspected cases and 247 deaths from the current Ebola outbreak, giving a case fatality rate of 24.6 per cent. The WHO has declared the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Laboratories across Nigeria have been placed on standby for rapid testing, and the NCDC has activated its National Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate response activities.

Sources: ThisDay, Sahara Reporters, RemoTV, Legit.ng