Nosa Osula-Aituamen
Following the confirmation of an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Uganda, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a travel advisory for Nigerian citizens and residents.
While the World Health Organization (WHO) has not recommended travel or trade restrictions to Uganda, the NCDC advises Nigerians to avoid all but essential travel to countries with confirmed Ebola cases.
On January 30, 2025, the Ugandan Ministry of Health confirmed an outbreak of Sudan ebolavirus in Wakiso, Mukono, and Mbale city in Mbale district.
As of the latest reports, one case has been confirmed, with one death and forty-four contacts are currently being monitored.
Ugandan authorities are said to have initiated response measures, leveraging their experience in managing previous Ebola outbreaks.
The NCDC emphasizes that there are no confirmed cases of Ebola in Nigeria.
However, the agency, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, has activated its National Emerging Viral Hemorrhagic Diseases (EVHD) Technical Working Group to enhance preparedness.
Current measures include updating the EVD emergency contingency plan, strengthening surveillance at points of entry, and optimizing diagnostic capacity for EVD testing at designated laboratories, including those located in cities with international airports and the National Reference Laboratory.
The NCDC urges individuals who have recently traveled to or transited through countries with Ebola cases within the past 21 days and experience symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, sore throat, diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising to immediately contact 6232 or their respective State Ministry of Health hotlines for assessment and testing.
The NCDC assured it will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as needed.