The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that there is no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country, even as it activated a communication sub-committee under the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness to strengthen public awareness, surveillance and emergency response.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance during the inaugural meeting of the Communication Sub-Committee of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats in Abuja.
The move comes amid renewed concerns over the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the current outbreak—caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus—continues to spread in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with Uganda also reporting imported cases.
The WHO said the outbreak has claimed about 600 lives in the DRC, with the death toll rising by more than 100 within three days after surpassing the 500-mark earlier in the week. The agency described the situation as one of the most serious public health emergencies currently facing the Central African nation.
In response, countries across the region have intensified surveillance and preparedness measures to prevent cross-border transmission.
Despite the regional outbreak, Idris stressed that Nigeria remains Ebola-free and urged citizens to remain calm while adhering to public health advisories.
“There is currently no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria. However, recent developments elsewhere in Africa remind us that infectious diseases know no borders,” the minister said.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Presidential Task Force, describing the initiative as a proactive measure to enhance coordination, preparedness and rapid response against emerging public health threats.
