The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a public health advisory following the latest update on the ongoing Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The Centre said Nigeria had been placed on “high alert” as it continued to strengthen surveillance, preparedness and response measures against any potential threat from the outbreak.
The advisory was contained in a statement signed by the Director-General of the NCDC, Jide Idris.
The Centre said all preparatory activities were ongoing and that the measures would continue to be reviewed in line with the evolving epidemiological situation and public health risk assessment.
“These measures will continue to be reviewed in line with the evolving epidemiological situation and public health risk assessment,” the NCDC said.
As part of the enhanced surveillance measures, the Centre advised travellers arriving from countries with active or relevant EVD transmission to complete the Health Declaration Form.
It said the measure was part of efforts to strengthen public health surveillance and facilitate appropriate follow-up of travellers where necessary.
“Passengers from all other countries are exempted from completing the form at this time,” the Centre said.
The NCDC also urged members of the public to remain vigilant, particularly for symptoms consistent with EVD.
It advised anyone who develops symptoms to promptly seek medical attention and provide relevant information about recent travel or possible exposure to the virus, where applicable.
The Centre said the advisory followed a Dynamic Risk Assessment conducted by the NCDC, alongside consultations with relevant public health experts and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
It stressed that it remained committed to protecting the health of Nigerians through evidence-based surveillance, preparedness and response to public health threats.
The advisory comes amid a continuing outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the DRC. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported that the DRC had recorded 7,672 confirmed cases and 3,699 related deaths as of September 20, based on data up to September 19.
The ECDC said 886 patients were hospitalised in isolation at the time, representing an increase of 58 confirmed cases and 23 deaths from the previous report on September 19.
The 58 new cases were reported in Ituri, which recorded 38 cases; North Kivu, 14 cases; Haut-Uélé, five cases; and Tshopo, one case.
Among people who tested positive for the Bundibugyo virus, 1,879 had recovered, while 79.9 per cent of identified contacts were under follow-up in the affected provinces, according to the ECDC.
The agency further reported that, since its previous report on September 18, the DRC had recorded 197 new confirmed cases and 94 deaths.
Ituri Province remained the most affected area, with 5,913 cases, including 2,703 deaths, reported from 28 of its 36 health zones, the ECDC said.
The ECDC has continued to monitor the outbreak and, on September 21, announced the deployment of two epidemiologists to the DRC to strengthen surveillance and support the overall outbreak response.
The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a species of ebolavirus. The ECDC has noted that there are currently no licensed vaccines or specific treatments for disease caused by Bundibugyo virus.
Nigeria had previously intensified its preparedness for the outbreak. In a May 2026 advisory, the NCDC said the risk of importation into Nigeria had been assessed as high because of ongoing regional transmission, international travel, population movement, major airports, seaports, land borders and trade routes.
The latest advisory therefore reinforces Nigeria’s surveillance and preparedness measures as the DRC continues to respond to the outbreak
