Nigeria’s Ebola Risk Remains Low Despite Regional Spread — WHO
WHO says Nigeria is well positioned to detect and contain any imported Ebola case as outbreak continues in parts of Africa
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has assessed Nigeria’s risk of an Ebola outbreak as low, even as confirmed cases continue to emerge in parts of Africa, particularly Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The World Health Organisation (World Health Organization) has stated that Nigeria currently faces a low risk of an Ebola outbreak, despite ongoing transmission in parts of Africa.
The Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, Chikwe Ihekweazu, made the disclosure on Tuesday during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show.
He explained that while Ebola remains a serious global health concern, Nigeria’s likelihood of exposure is limited compared to countries closer to the epicentre of the outbreak.
According to him, confirmed cases outside the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been recorded in Uganda, with all linked to the same outbreak cluster.
“Uganda is the only country with confirmed Ebola cases outside the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he said, noting that regional spread is being closely monitored.
Ihekweazu added that countries have been grouped by risk levels, with those bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo considered highest risk due to proximity and cross-border movement.
He, however, stressed that preparedness remains critical even for countries classified as low risk.
“The question is, is every country ready and able to detect a case if it arrives?” he said, highlighting the need for strong surveillance systems, rapid testing capacity, and properly designated treatment facilities.
He noted that effective preparedness includes early detection, safe sample collection, and swift containment measures to prevent further spread.
Despite the reassuring assessment for Nigeria, he warned that the outbreak still represents a significant global health threat requiring coordinated international response.
He further revealed that this Ebola resurgence has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern for only the ninth time in history, underscoring its severity.
“This Ebola outbreak is serious and requires an internationally coordinated response,” he said, adding that over 300 confirmed cases have been recorded in the DRC alone.
The WHO also confirmed that this is only the third time Ebola has triggered such a global emergency declaration.
Nigeria’s disease surveillance efforts, coordinated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, were described as part of the broader regional preparedness system aimed at preventing importation and ensuring rapid response if any case is detected.
