The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a public health advisory following the confirmation of an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
As of September 4, 2025, the DRC reported 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers, in the Kasai Province.
The outbreak is centered in the Bulape and Mweka health zones of Kasai Province, where symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and hemorrhage have been reported.
NCDC Director General, Jide Idris, on Saturday said the Central African nation reported that 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers, had been recorded as of September 4, 2025.
The DRC Health Minister, Samuel Roger Kamba, had said the new outbreak is in central Kasai Province.
However, the NCDC confirmed that there were no cases of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria.
Idris also said Nigeria has been placed on high alert, adding that surveillance had been heightened at entry points, healthcare facilities, and communities to prevent the spread of the disease.
He further explained that the outbreak has affected the Bulape and Mweka health zones, with investigations showing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and haemorrhage (bleeding).
According to him, “Samples tested at the National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa confirmed the Ebola Zaire virus as the causative strain.
“The mortality rate is estimated at 57%, although investigations and laboratory analyses are ongoing to refine the situation,” Idris stated.
He noted that the DRC has activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre and deployed a National Rapid Response Team with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to strengthen surveillance, infection prevention and control, laboratory diagnostics, and case management.
On Nigeria’s preparedness, Idris stressed that there are no confirmed cases in the country at the moment.
The NCDC boss also reminded Nigerians that the Ebola Zaire strain responsible for this outbreak has an approved vaccine, Ervebo, which is effective in preventing infection.
“We will continue to monitor the regional and global situations. There are no cases of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria, as of now,” he said.
