The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr Jide Idris, has stated that the country is only 59 percent prepared for a potential Ebola outbreak. This revelation comes amid heightened surveillance following recent Ebola outbreaks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Risk Assessment Reveals Gaps
Speaking on Arise TV, Idris explained that a recently conducted risk assessment of Nigeria's readiness identified critical vulnerabilities that authorities are working to address, particularly at points of entry. He noted that the assessment aimed to improve response mechanisms against any potential importation of the virus.
“Our latest level of assessment puts us at about 59 percent. But that's quite variable. You can't be 100 percent prepared, but the essence is that we keep preparing because things change,” Idris said. “To be frank, we are not 100 percent ready, but we are improving our readiness. This is a readiness that has to cover the whole country.”
Surveillance and Border Challenges
Idris added that the NCDC is working tirelessly to assess states' readiness, deploying advisors to guide state commissioners on evaluating infrastructure, isolation centres, public health emergency operation centres, and stockpiles. The Federal Ministry of Health has issued protocols to tighten controls at international airports, but Idris highlighted that Nigeria's porous land borders remain a major surveillance challenge, as travellers entering by road are difficult to monitor.
Lessons from 2014 and Current Outbreaks
The NCDC chief noted that the successful containment of the 2014 Ebola outbreak serves as a lesson for current preparedness efforts. However, he pointed out that Nigeria is currently burdened by seven to eight disease outbreaks, including cholera and Lassa fever, which strain resources.
The NCDC had earlier strengthened disease surveillance due to ongoing Ebola transmission in the DRC and Uganda, as well as increased cross-border movement and international travel. Nigeria faces a high risk of an Ebola outbreak, according to the agency.
