The World Health Organization has stated that Nigeria currently faces a low risk of an Ebola outbreak, even as the virus continues to spread in parts of Africa. The Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, Chikwe Ihekweazu, disclosed this during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show. He emphasized that surveillance and response systems have been strengthened across affected regions, noting that Nigeria’s exposure remains limited compared to neighbouring countries.
Global Concern Over DRC Outbreak
On the global scene, Ihekweazu warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has reached the highest level of seriousness and requires a coordinated global response. He stated that the outbreak has met the criteria for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to its severity and spread beyond the DRC. “This outbreak is serious. It requires a coordinated international response. Sadly, it has already spread to other countries. All the criteria have been fulfilled,” he said.
Over 300 Confirmed Cases
Ihekweazu noted that the outbreak is already affecting multiple provinces in the DRC and has recorded more than 300 confirmed cases. “This is the third time an Ebola outbreak has met these criteria. So, you know, we’re in a difficult position. There are over 300 confirmed cases already. It’s spread out around three provinces in the DRC. A province in the DRC is about the size of a state in Nigeria. So the outbreak is really ahead of us right now,” he said.
Intensified Response Efforts
Ihekweazu said WHO and its partners are intensifying efforts to contain the outbreak but stressed that the situation remains extremely serious. “What we’re doing is working very hard to scale up our response to contain it. So how serious is it? It is a very serious event. It’s at the highest level of seriousness, if I can use that word, requiring a global response in solidarity with the people of the DRC,” he said.
Call for International Solidarity
He called on countries around the world to support the response effort, saying international solidarity will be critical to bringing the outbreak under control. “It means that everyone around the world has to pull their resources together to support this country during this difficult time for them,” he said.
Cross-Border Transmission
While acknowledging concerns about cross-border transmission, Ihekweazu said Uganda remains the only country outside the DRC to have recorded confirmed Ebola cases linked to the current outbreak. He added that controlling the outbreak at its source remains the best way to protect other countries from potential spread. “The hope for the rest of the world we live in now is controlling this outbreak here. We can protect every other country around the world if we focus our energies in controlling the outbreak itself. And that’s really what we’re focusing on at the moment,” he said.
