NCDC raises alarm on possible outbreak of Ebola in Nigeria

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, has warned against fresh Ebola outbreak in Nigeria.

The center said the country is “moderate risk” of Ebola outbreak.

The NCDC made this known via its website, stating that the decision was based on the proximity of Guinea to Nigeria and other West African countries, as well as other indicators.

Guinea experienced an Ebola outbreak in the N’zerekore region of the country on February 14.

The cases were detected among seven people who had attended the burial of a nurse on February 1, NCDC said.

The NCDC says it has an existing multi-sectoral National Emerging Viral Haemorrhagic Diseases Working Group, which coordinates preparedness efforts for EVD and other emerging viral haemorrhagic diseases.

A statement on the NCDC website said; “The EVHDWG has carried out a risk assessment on the possibility of transmission of the virus to Nigeria.

“Given the proximity of Guinea to Nigeria and other West African countries as well as other indicators, Nigeria has been placed at moderate risk of an EVD outbreak.

“The outputs from this risk assessment are being used to initiate preparedness activities in-country.”