The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has placed the country on high alert and surveillance following a deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The NCDC has now enforced a strict measure for passengers arriving in the country from affected nations to fill out a Health Declaration Form, in order to stop the spread of the virus from entering the country.
This development comes as the DRC battles a severe strain of the disease called the Bundibugyo virus.
Based on data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), reported by Daily Trust, Congo recorded 7,672 confirmed cases and 3,699 deaths as of September 20. The Ituri province is the highest, accounting for over 5,900 of those cases.
The NCDC Director-General Dr. Jide Idris, in an advisory, confirmed that all preparation and response activities are underway.
“These measures will continue to be reviewed in line with the evolving epidemiological situation and public health risk assessment,” the NCDC stated.
The NCDC is urging Nigerians to stay vigilant by advising Nigerians showing symptoms of Ebola to seek immediate medical help and share their recent travel history with doctors.
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