Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has warned Nigeria that it is at risk of importing Ebola virus from Uganda, which has recently declared an epidemic of the disease.

In a statement released on Tuesday, October 4th, the NCDC stated that its multi-sectoral National Emerging Viral Haemorrhagic Diseases Technical Working Group (NEVHDTWG) in collaboration with partners and stakeholders, has conducted a rapid risk assessment to guide in-country preparedness activities.

However, the agency stated that Nigeria is equipped to handle the situation in an event of an outbreak.

The statement is as follows:

“Based on available data, the overall risk of importation of the Ebola virus and the impact on the health of Nigerians has been assessed as high.

“The likelihood of importation to Nigeria is high due to the increased air travel between Nigeria and Uganda, especially through Kenya’s Nairobi airport, a regional transport hub, and other neighbouring countries that share a direct border with Uganda.

“The likelihood of spread in Nigeria following importation is high due to the gatherings and travel associated with politics, the coming yuletide as well as other religious gatherings and festivals during the last few months of the year.

“We have the diagnostic capacity to test for the EVD presently at the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital’s Centre for Human and Zoonotic Virology Laboratory.

“However, diagnostic capacity will be scaled up to other laboratories in cities with important Points of Entry (POE) and others as may be required.

“Currently, no case of EVD has been reported in Nigeria. Nonetheless, the Nigerian government through NCDC’s multisectoral NEVHD TWG has put several measures in place to prevent and prepare for immediate control of any outbreak of the disease in-country.”

Nigerians are also asked not to travel to areas where there is an outbreak. They should avoid direct contact with the blood, saliva or other bodily fluids of those with suspected or confirmed Ebola. Call 6232 to ensure that all suspected Ebola symptoms are taken to the appropriate healthcare facilities.