The Nigeria Center for Disease Control have advises Nigerians to avoid all but essential travel to Uganda and other countries in the region with confirmed Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases.
This came after Uganda’s Ministry of Health confirmed the outbreak of the Sudan strain of Ebola Virus Disease on January 30, 2025, in Wakiso, Mukono, and Mbale City. So far, one case has been recorded, resulting in one death, with 44 contacts currently under surveillance.
The Director General (DG) of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Jide Idris said, while Nigeria has no recorded cases, the agency is reinforcing surveillance at entry points, updating emergency response plans, and expanding diagnostic capacity in key laboratories.
In his travel advisory on Sunday, the DG noted that while the World Health Organization (WHO) has not imposed travel restrictions on Uganda, anyone returning from affected areas within the last 21 days who develops fever, muscle pain, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding should immediately call 6232 or their State Health hotline for assessment.
In addition, he said such travelers should self-isolate and await response teams for further evaluation and possible transport to a treatment center. Related NewsNCDC reports 214 Lassa fever, 39 deaths in 2025NCDC reports 214 Lassa fever, 39 deaths in one monthChina virus: NCDC reactivates COVID-19 protocols.
He said the public health advisory becomes necessary because EVD has a 25-90% fatality rate and spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids, contaminated objects, and wild animals like bats, chimpanzees, and monkeys.
Besides, the DG stressed that while vaccines exist for some strains of the Ebola virus, the approved vaccine for the Zaire strain is not currently available in Nigeria and does not protect against the Sudan strain responsible for the outbreak in Uganda.
Given this, he implore Nigerians to practice good hygiene, avoid bushmeat, and report symptoms immediately to prevent potential outbreaks.
He also advised healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion, enforce strict isolation for suspected cases, adhere to infection control protocols, and report immediately to health authorities.
The Director General, however, assured that NCDC will continue to enhance surveillance, expand diagnostic capacity, and coordinate with global health organizations
