The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has ramped up its efforts to prepare for potential Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases, despite having no confirmed infections at this time. NCDC Director-General Dr. Olajide Idris announced these steps during the 15th Ministerial Oversight Committee meeting in Abuja.
Dr. Idris noted that the agency initiated its response strategy immediately following news of the outbreak, even before the formal reconstitution of the Presidential Ebola Task Force. To secure the borders, the NCDC is working closely with the Nigeria Immigration Service, aviation authorities, the Nigeria Customs Service, and Port Health Services. These efforts focus primarily on five states housing international airports, where incoming passengers are now required to submit health declaration forms. Those flagged as persons of interest are tracked, and local authorities are alerted for further monitoring.
To bolster diagnostic capacity, the agency has evaluated isolation centers and molecular laboratories originally set up for COVID-19. While an executive approval of N785.3 million has been allocated for these activities, Dr. Idris highlighted significant maintenance issues. Many facilities have fallen into disrepair or abandonment, while others suffer from unstable power supplies that threaten the integrity of medical reagents. Remediation has started but remains hindered by funding gaps.
Regarding the ongoing cholera situation, Dr. Idris stated that fatality rates have dropped below one percent in most regions, excluding Borno. In Borno, high mortality rates were traced to sanitation issues and misdiagnosis during early stages of care. To address this, specialized teams have been deployed to improve treatment outcomes. Looking ahead, the NCDC plans to provide essential commodities to states at high risk and expand training across all geopolitical zones, while urging state governments to prioritize outbreak funding in their own budgets.
