President Bola Tinubu has called for heightened vigilance and preparedness at both state and national levels against biological threats, including Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and Lassa fever. This call follows the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) identifying Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, Kano, Enugu, Borno, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Taraba, and Adamawa as states at high risk of Ebola importation due to the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, international travel, population movement, and uncertainty regarding the outbreak's full magnitude.
Presidential Remarks at Airport
The President made these remarks during a brief interaction with Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, and other government officials at the airport before departing Lagos for Abuja after participating in the APC presidential primaries in the state. According to Abayomi, the President emphasized the importance of strengthening measures to prevent and respond to infectious disease outbreaks, particularly in light of growing concerns about biological shocks in the region.
Urgent Need for Surveillance
The commissioner, who disclosed this on his X account, stated that the President's warning highlighted the urgent need for sustained disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, and coordinated public health response mechanisms across the country. Lagos State has continued to maintain a high level of preparedness against Ebola and other infectious diseases, given its status as Nigeria's commercial hub and one of Africa's busiest international travel destinations.
Lagos State Preparedness
The state has strengthened surveillance systems across health facilities and points of entry and improved rapid-response mechanisms to detect and contain suspected outbreaks promptly. Its health authorities are collaborating with federal agencies and public health institutions to build on lessons from Nigeria's successful containment of the Ebola outbreak in 2014.
Expert Warnings
Public health experts have continued to warn that increased regional mobility, weak health systems, and emerging health threats across parts of Africa could heighten the risk of cross-border outbreaks if surveillance and preparedness measures are not sustained. The NCDC also placed Ogun, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Plateau, Kogi, Niger, Jigawa, Katsina, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Abia, and Bayelsa states on moderate risk.
High-Risk States Details
According to the Centre, the high-risk states are known trade or travel routes with international airports, seaports, porous borders, and ground crossings, stressing that while all states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) must maintain Ebola preparedness, the pace of readiness should reflect each state's importation and transmission risk.
Outbreak Statistics
Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, who disclosed this in a public health advisory in Abuja, noted that 1,077 suspected cases and 247 deaths had been reported in the DRC and Uganda, adding that the case fatality rate is as high as 24.6 percent, while the age group mostly affected is 14 to 45 years. Regional and national risk remain high.
International Developments
Idris stated that suspected cases had been reported in India, while Canada had announced a temporary pause on travel applications by residents of DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan due to the outbreak. Very recently, Uganda also announced border closure measures. He noted that there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments available for Bundibugyo EVD, as control of the outbreak depends largely on rapid public health measures.
