The Academy of Medical Sciences, Nigeria, has issued an urgent call for infection prevention and control upgrades across health facilities and the stockpiling of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect frontline health workers. This comes after recent Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, raising concerns about possible importation into Nigeria.
Regional Mobility and Cross-Border Risks
In a statement signed by Prof. Obinna Onwujekwe, Chairman of the Rapid Response Committee, and Prof. Osato Giwa-Osagie, Academy President Emeritus, the body highlighted that regional mobility, trade, and travel could facilitate cross-border transmission. It stressed that every emerging infectious disease outbreak must be treated as an urgent national public health priority.
Current Outbreak Situation
The Academy noted that the Ebola Virus Disease, a severe and often fatal viral haemorrhagic illness, has historically caused devastating outcomes. While Nigeria successfully contained the 2014 outbreak, continued outbreaks across Africa underscore persistent regional vulnerability. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases, and 80 suspected deaths have been recorded. Uganda has reported two confirmed cases, including one death, heightening concerns over surveillance gaps.
Transmission and Symptoms
The current outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, contaminated surfaces, infected animals (such as fruit bats and non-human primates), and unsafe burial practices. Symptoms include sudden fever, weakness, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, and in severe cases, internal and external bleeding.
Recommended Measures
The Academy urged authorities to strengthen border surveillance at airports, seaports, and land borders. This includes rapid screening of travellers from affected countries through temperature checks, exposure history assessments, and digital traveller questionnaires linked to national surveillance systems. It also called for the activation of emergency preparedness systems, including the National Ebola Incident Management System, and the establishment of isolation facilities at points of entry.
Healthcare Facility Readiness
To ensure healthcare facilities are prepared, the Academy recommended establishing Ebola-specific clinical pathways, enforcing strict infection prevention and control compliance, conducting regular PPE training drills, and ensuring adequate infection control infrastructure to prevent cross-contamination within hospitals.
Public Communication and Surveillance
The Academy emphasized the need to intensify risk communication campaigns in major Nigerian languages to counter misinformation, fear, and stigma. It urged authorities to promote accurate guidance through trusted community and religious leaders, as well as local media platforms. Enhanced disease surveillance systems, improved coordination among federal, state, and local health authorities, and stronger regional collaboration with international bodies like the World Health Organisation and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention were also called for.
Immediate Recommendations
The Academy proposed several immediate actions: convening a national Ebola preparedness task force within seven days, pre-positioning infection prevention and control supplies for at least a six-week surge, expediting specimen transport and testing systems, and disseminating updated case definitions and reporting protocols nationwide within 72 hours.
Guidance for Health Facilities and the Public
All health facilities were advised to remain on heightened alert, maintain strict observation and reporting mechanisms for suspected cases, and ensure rapid isolation of patients with compatible symptoms and relevant exposure history. The public was urged to remain calm but vigilant, practice regular handwashing, avoid contact with bodily fluids of sick persons, refrain from bushmeat consumption from unknown sources, and comply with safe burial practices. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as fever, unexplained bleeding, vomiting, diarrhoea, or sudden weakness, especially after travel or exposure, should seek immediate medical attention.
The Academy reiterated that preparedness, strong border control measures, early detection, rapid response, and public cooperation remain critical to preventing Ebola importation into Nigeria. It reaffirmed its readiness to support government and health institutions with scientific guidance and technical expertise.
