Fresh Ebola Threat: Nigeria on High Alert as Deadly Virus Resurfaces in Congo

Fresh Ebola Threat: Nigeria on High Alert as Deadly Virus Resurfaces in Congo

Nigeria has moved swiftly to tighten health security as fresh cases of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) have been confirmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), sparking renewed global concerns over the possibility of cross-border transmission.

With memories of the devastating 2014 Ebola outbreak still fresh in the minds of many, the Federal Government has intensified surveillance and health checks at all major entry points, including airports, seaports, and land borders. Officials say the aim is to prevent any importation of the virus, which has killed thousands across Africa since its discovery.

Dr. Akpan Nse, Director of Port Health Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, confirmed to media that international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano have been placed on high alert. According to him, thermal scanners, health declaration forms, and temperature checks have already been deployed to screen passengers arriving from Central Africa. Travelers from Congo and neighboring countries are undergoing enhanced procedures before being granted entry into Nigeria.

He explained that rapid response teams have been placed on standby nationwide while isolation facilities across the country have been reactivated to ensure readiness. Airlines operating in Nigeria have also been directed to immediately report any passengers showing symptoms consistent with Ebola, including persistent fever, severe headache, sore throat, vomiting, or unexplained bleeding, before landing. “Precautionary steps have been strengthened to ensure Nigeria remains protected. We are working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and international partners to ensure quick detection and containment,” Dr. Nse stressed.

The Federal Ministry of Health issued an official statement, assuring Nigerians that the country’s health system is fully prepared to respond. It urged the public to remain calm, maintain good hygiene, and promptly report any suspected cases to the nearest health facility or through the NCDC toll-free line. “Port Health officials are on high alert, and measures including temperature checks, health declarations, and secondary screening have been put in place,” the statement read.

Ebola is one of the world’s most feared viruses due to its high fatality rate and rapid spread through direct contact with the blood, secretions, or bodily fluids of infected persons and animals. The virus was first identified in 1976 during simultaneous outbreaks in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, in a village near the Ebola River, from which it derives its name. Since then, Ebola has claimed more than 15,000 lives, with the deadliest outbreak occurring in West Africa between 2014 and 2016. That epidemic killed over 11,000 people in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, while Nigeria, Senegal, and Mali also recorded cases.

Nigeria’s successful handling of the 2014 outbreak, which involved swift isolation of patients, aggressive contact tracing, and international collaboration, was widely praised by the World Health Organization as a model of effective epidemic control. Officials now say the same strategies are being reapplied to prevent a repeat of that deadly crisis.

Public health experts have urged Nigerians to remain alert but not panic. Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, a public health specialist based in Abuja, explained that cross-border transmission remains a serious threat in today’s interconnected world. He stressed that prevention—through proper hand hygiene, safe burial practices, and early reporting of suspicious symptoms—is the most powerful weapon against Ebola. Communities in border regions have also been advised to avoid bushmeat consumption, particularly primates and fruit bats, which are known carriers of the virus.

The outbreak in Congo has drawn international concern, with neighboring countries already tightening their health surveillance measures while the World Health Organization monitors the situation closely. Experts warn that with modern travel, the virus can cross continents in hours if unchecked, underscoring the importance of Nigeria’s proactive response.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Nse reassured Nigerians that the government will continue to take decisive action to protect lives. “Nigeria’s health system remains ready to respond promptly. We call on Nigerians to cooperate fully with screening officials, remain calm, and avoid spreading panic or misinformation. Together, we can prevent this threat from crossing into our borders.”

As the world watches developments in the DRC, Nigeria’s swift response could once again prove critical in shielding West Africa from another deadly wave of Ebola. But the lingering question remains: can preparedness outpace the unpredictable resurgence of one of the world’s deadliest viruses?