The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has urged Nigerians to disregard rumours linking the Ebola outbreak to a possible postponement of elections, stating that the country currently has no confirmed cases.
The Director-General of the agency, Dr Jide Idris, gave the clarification on Tuesday in Lagos during a virtual capacity-building workshop for journalists on effective reporting of Ebola, warning that misinformation could undermine public health efforts.
Idris said 54 primary contacts linked to a woman evacuated to Switzerland remained under daily surveillance, even though three contacts who developed symptoms last week had tested negative for the virus.
He cautioned that the absence of confirmed cases did not mean Nigeria could be declared Ebola-free, stressing that surveillance and contact tracing must continue until health authorities are satisfied that the risk of further transmission has been addressed.
“The fact that we currently have no confirmed case does not mean we should declare Nigeria Ebola-free.
“We must continue surveillance and ensure that all contacts are properly monitored,” he said.
The NCDC chief explained that the woman’s Ebola infection was confirmed on October 20 after she returned to Abuja from Uganda. She was evacuated to Switzerland on October 26 alongside her husband at the request and expense of the Swiss Government.
According to Idris, the patient had shown clinical improvement before leaving Nigeria. He said her transfer should not be interpreted as a lack of confidence in the country’s healthcare system.
He disclosed that most of the 54 primary contacts were quarantined in Abuja, while a few were observing self-quarantine at home. Health officials were also identifying and monitoring secondary contacts who might have interacted with those directly linked to the patient.
“Three contacts developed symptoms and were tested, but all returned negative results.
“However, we cannot stop monitoring them because the results are reassuring,” he said.
Idris also announced that approval had been granted for weekly payments of ₦100,000 to people under quarantine to ease the financial burden associated with movement restrictions and encourage their cooperation with public health officials.
He said the intervention followed concerns about the welfare of affected individuals, adding that the NCDC was engaging the Federal Capital Territory Administration on its responsibilities towards people under quarantine.
The director-general called on journalists to verify Ebola-related information through official channels and promptly correct false reports. He also warned against publishing details that could reveal the identities of patients or their contacts, noting that stigmatisation could negatively affect individuals, their families and healthcare facilities.
Explaining how the virus spreads, Idris reiterated that Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the body fluids of an infected person who is sick, rather than through the air.
He advised anyone experiencing fever alongside a relevant travel or contact history to call the designated response hotline, 6232, before visiting a healthcare facility.
The NCDC’s position is that continued surveillance, contact tracing and accurate public information remain essential to preventing further transmission. The agency’s warning also highlights the importance of relying on verified public health updates rather than unconfirmed claims about the outbreak and its possible implications for national activities.
