Ebola: Nigeria must remain on high alert

Recent reports of Ebola outbreaks in some African countries should serve as a wake-up call for Nigeria and other nations in the continent. Though Nigeria hasn’t recorded any confirmed case in recent times, the country cannot afford to relax or assume it’s immune from another outbreak, especially in an era of increased cross-border movement, regional […]

Recent reports of Ebola outbreaks in some African countries should serve as a wake-up call for Nigeria and other nations in the continent. Though Nigeria hasn’t recorded any confirmed case in recent times, the country cannot afford to relax or assume it’s immune from another outbreak, especially in an era of increased cross-border movement, regional trade, and air travel, infectious diseases can spread rapidly if preventive measures aren’t strengthened early.

Nigeria’s experience during the 2014 Ebola outbreak remains one of the most remarkable public health success stories in Africa. At a time when many feared that the virus would spiral out of control due to the country’s large population and weak health infrastructure, Nigeria acted swiftly. Health officials, emergency responders, and government agencies collaborated effectively to contain the disease after the late Patrick Sawyer brought the virus into Lagos. Through aggressive contact tracing, public awareness campaigns, isolation measures, and coordinated emergency response, the country succeeded in stopping what could have become a national catastrophe.

However, the success achieved in 2014 shouldn’t breed complacency. Rather, it should remind authorities of the importance of preparedness, vigilance, and investment in public health systems. Diseases like Ebola thrive where healthcare systems are weak, emergency response mechanisms are slow, and public awareness is poor. Nigeria still faces many of these vulnerabilities today.

One major concern is the state of the nation’s healthcare infrastructure. Many public hospitals across the country remain poorly equipped, understaffed, and underfunded. In some rural areas, healthcare facilities lack basic protective equipment, diagnostic tools, and isolation centres needed to respond effectively to infectious disease outbreaks. If Ebola or any similar disease emerges unexpectedly, the pressure on the health sector could be overwhelming.

Another challenge is the increasing movement of people across borders. Nigeria shares boundaries with several West African countries, making cross-border surveillance extremely important. Unfortunately, many entry points remain porous, while monitoring systems are often inadequate. Authorities must strengthen surveillance at airports, seaports, and land borders to ensure early detection of suspected cases.

Beyond government efforts, public awareness is equally critical. During the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation and conspiracy theories undermined public health interventions in many parts of the world, including Nigeria. Similar challenges could arise if another Ebola outbreak occurs. Nigerians must therefore be properly educated about the symptoms, transmission, and prevention of Ebola. Community leaders, religious institutions, schools, and the media all have vital roles to play in spreading accurate information and discouraging panic.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) must also remain proactive. Surveillance systems should be strengthened, emergency response teams retrained, and regular simulation exercises conducted across states. Laboratories should be adequately equipped to detect infectious diseases quickly, while healthcare workers must receive continuous training on disease management and infection prevention.

Importantly, governments at all levels must stop treating healthcare emergencies as temporary issues that only deserve attention during outbreaks. Public health preparedness should be a permanent national priority. Investments in healthcare infrastructure, research, local vaccine production, and disease surveillance should be sustained consistently, not only during crises.

There is also a need for stronger regional cooperation among African countries. Diseases don’t respect national boundaries. Information sharing, joint surveillance operations, and coordinated responses among neighbouring countries are necessary to prevent outbreaks from escalating into continental emergencies.

Nigeria’s large population makes preparedness even more urgent. An uncontrolled outbreak in a densely populated country could have devastating consequences for public health, the economy, education, and national stability. Businesses could shut down, schools may close, and already struggling households would face additional hardship.

The lesson from previous outbreaks is simple: prevention is cheaper and more effective than emergency response. Waiting until Ebola enters the country before taking action would be a costly mistake. The time to prepare is now.

As the world continues to battle emerging and re-emerging diseases, Nigeria must remain vigilant. Government agencies, healthcare institutions, communities, and citizens all have shared responsibilities in ensuring the country is not caught unprepared again. The memory of 2014 should not merely be celebrated as a victory of the past, but used as a blueprint for future preparedness.

Ebola may not yet be in Nigeria, but the threat remains real. The country must stay alert, proactive, and united in protecting public health before another outbreak knocks at the door.

 

Okorie, a public affairs analyst wrote from Ikeja, Lagos