Nigeria Raises Ebola Surveillance as Bundibugyo Outbreak Spreads in DR Congo

Nigeria has heightened surveillance and preparedness at its airports, seaports and land borders following the continued spread of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said the country was on “high alert” and was strengthening its surveillance and response systems to minimise the risk of the virus being imported into Nigeria.

The latest advisory was issued by the NCDC Director-General, Jide Idris, following a fresh risk assessment and consultations with public health experts as well as the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

According to the NCDC, its preparedness measures would continue to be reviewed and adjusted in line with developments in the outbreak and emerging epidemiological evidence.

One of the immediate measures introduced by the agency focuses on travellers arriving from countries experiencing active or relevant Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) transmission.

The NCDC advised such travellers to complete the Nigeria Health Declaration Form, which provides important health and travel information that can support surveillance and follow-up where necessary.

The form includes details such as travellers’ recent movements, symptoms and possible exposure to infectious diseases.

The agency clarified that passengers arriving from other countries are currently exempt from completing the health declaration form.

The enhanced border surveillance is intended to provide an early warning system for possible imported cases, particularly at major international entry points and locations with significant movement of people and goods.

Nigeria had already assessed the risk of Ebola importation as high in May following the emergence of the Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the DRC and Uganda.

At the time, the NCDC identified international travel, population movement across African countries, major airports, seaports, porous land borders, informal crossing points and major trade routes as factors that could increase the possibility of the virus being introduced into Nigeria.

DRC Outbreak Continues to Expand

The latest Nigerian alert comes as the outbreak in the DRC continues to record significant numbers of infections and deaths.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the DRC had recorded 7,672 confirmed cases and 3,699 related deaths as of September 20, based on information available up to September 19.

The agency also reported that 886 patients were being treated in isolation facilities, while 1,879 people who had tested positive for Bundibugyo virus had recovered.

Ituri Province remains the epicentre of the outbreak, accounting for 5,913 confirmed cases and 2,703 deaths across 28 of its 36 health zones.

The ECDC further reported 58 additional confirmed cases and 23 deaths during the latest reporting period, with new infections recorded in Ituri, North Kivu, Haut-Uélé and Tshopo provinces.

The scale of the outbreak has also attracted increased international support.

On September 21, the ECDC announced the deployment of two epidemiologists to the DRC to strengthen disease surveillance and support the wider outbreak response.

No Licensed Vaccine for Bundibugyo Virus

The current outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus, a species of ebolavirus.

The ECDC said there are currently no licensed vaccines, post-exposure prophylaxis or specific treatments for disease caused by the virus.

As a result, public health authorities place particular emphasis on surveillance, early identification of suspected cases, rapid isolation, contact tracing and strict infection-prevention measures.

Against this background, the NCDC has urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and seek medical attention promptly if they develop symptoms associated with Ebola, particularly after possible exposure or travel to an affected area.

People who become ill after travelling to areas experiencing transmission have also been advised to provide healthcare workers with accurate information about their travel history and any possible exposure.

The NCDC stressed that the measures currently being implemented are precautionary and are based on its assessment of the evolving regional threat.

Nigeria’s experience in managing previous infectious disease outbreaks has placed strong emphasis on early detection, contact tracing and surveillance at points of entry.

The latest measures are therefore aimed at identifying any potential imported case as early as possible, especially given the extensive movement of people between Nigeria and other African countries.

The NCDC said it remained committed to protecting Nigerians through evidence-based surveillance, preparedness and coordinated responses to emerging public health threats.

The development also highlights the importance of continued vigilance despite the absence of a confirmed case in Nigeria.

The NCDC’s May advisory had stated that Nigeria had no confirmed case linked to the 2026 Bundibugyo outbreak at that time.

With the DRC continuing to battle the outbreak and international health agencies strengthening their response, Nigerian authorities are relying on enhanced surveillance, preparedness and early detection to reduce the risk of Bundibugyo Ebola being imported and establishing transmission in the country.

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