“There Is No Confirmed Bundibugyo Case in Nigeria” — NCDC Raises Vigilance After Kenya Case

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has stepped up disease surveillance across the country following Kenya’s confirmation of an imported case of Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) linked to an ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, said the development had heightened concerns over the possibility of infectious diseases crossing borders through international travel and population movement.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, Idris said the Kenyan case involved a citizen residing in the DRC who travelled by road to Kampala, Uganda, before flying to Nairobi, where he was isolated and subsequently tested positive.

The patient later died, prompting Kenyan health authorities to launch contact tracing and other emergency measures aimed at identifying people who may have been exposed and preventing further spread.

Idris, however, assured Nigerians that there was no confirmed case of Ebola disease in the country as of October 6, while stressing that the NCDC was closely monitoring developments in Kenya, the DRC and other countries affected by the outbreak.

He said the agency was reviewing Nigeria’s existing risk assessment and preparedness measures in light of the Kenyan case and would strengthen its response where necessary as the regional situation develops.

“Since the outbreak was reported in the DRC, NCDC, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Port Health Services, State Governments and partners have strengthened national Ebola preparedness measures,” Idris said.

He listed the measures as including early detection, isolation and referral of suspected cases, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, public risk communication and protection of healthcare workers.

According to him, the NCDC had also conducted a National Ebola Preparedness Tabletop Simulation exercise to test the country’s response arrangements, identify weaknesses and determine areas requiring additional attention.

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The agency urged Nigerians not to panic but to remain vigilant, particularly when dealing with people who may have been exposed to the disease.

Idris advised the public to maintain regular hand hygiene and avoid direct contact with the blood or body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola. Nigerians were also warned against handling the bodies of people who died from unexplained illnesses, as well as sick or dead wild animals and raw or improperly prepared bushmeat.

He urged anyone who develops symptoms after travelling to an affected area or coming into contact with a suspected case to seek medical attention immediately and provide healthcare workers with accurate information about their travel and possible exposure.

For healthcare workers, the NCDC chief called for a high level of suspicion when treating patients with compatible symptoms and a relevant travel or exposure history within the previous 21 days.

He cautioned that the early symptoms of Ebola can resemble those of several common febrile illnesses, stressing that health workers should not wait for a patient to develop bleeding before considering the possibility of Ebola.

Idris directed health facilities managing suspected cases to immediately isolate patients, apply appropriate infection prevention measures and personal protective equipment, and notify public health authorities through established surveillance channels.

Travellers returning from affected areas were also advised to monitor their health for 21 days after leaving such locations and promptly report any symptoms or possible exposure.

The NCDC said it would continue working with national, regional and international partners to assess the implications of the latest development for Nigeria, strengthen preparedness measures and provide further updates as the situation evolves.