Nigeria Centre for Disease Control Assures Nigerians of Preparedness Against Ebola Outbreak

 

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has reassured Nigerians that there is no cause for panic over the Ebola virus, stating that the country is well-prepared to respond effectively to any possible outbreak.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, Head of Health Emergency Preparedness at the NCDC, Dr. Biodun Ogunniyi, said Nigeria has strengthened its healthcare system and emergency response capacity since the 2014 Ebola outbreak.

According to him, Nigeria’s previous experience with Ebola has equipped the country with the knowledge and infrastructure needed to quickly contain the virus if detected.

“There is no need to panic because fear kills more than death itself. This is not the first time Nigeria is preparing for this kind of outbreak,” he said.

Dr. Ogunniyi recalled how Nigeria successfully eliminated Ebola within 70 days during the 2014 outbreak, earning global recognition for its swift response and disease control measures.

He further explained that the country now has improved laboratory networks and modern diagnostic systems capable of detecting Ebola infections promptly.

Speaking on the newly reported Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus currently affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ogunniyi noted that the strain is not entirely new to health authorities, as it was first identified in 2007.

He added that the NCDC has fully activated its Public Health Emergency Operation Centre and established laboratory surveillance systems across the country to ensure rapid response if necessary.

“We now have the in-country capacity to detect the Ebola virus. We have national reference laboratories in Abuja and Lagos, alongside a network of laboratories across the country,” he stated.

His remarks come amid growing concerns following reports that the Democratic Republic of Congo has recorded over 513 Ebola cases and 131 deaths linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.

The NCDC urged Nigerians to remain calm, maintain proper hygiene practices, and rely only on verified public health information.