LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Reports from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) indicate that health workers are once again battling a fresh Ebola outbreak in parts of the country, reviving global concern about one of the world’s most dangerous infectious diseases.
According to international health updates, the situation has prompted renewed surveillance across Africa, with the World Health Organization (WHO) classifying the outbreak as a “very high” risk at national level, “high” at regional level, and “low” at global level.
Although the outbreak remains geographically contained for now, experts warn that Ebola’s history of cross-border transmission in Africa means no country in the region can afford complacency, especially those with strong travel and trade connections like Nigeria.
Nigerian virologist, Prof. Oyewole Tomori, warns that Ebola does not respect borders or timelines.
According to him, the virus can spread across countries “within hours,” depending on the stage of infection and the movement of infected individuals.
In a highly connected world, he says, geographical distance offers little protection.
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Ebola itself is caused by a group of viruses, with three main strains responsible for human disease: Ebola Zaire (EBOV), Sudan virus (SUDV), and Bundibugyo virus (BDBV). Ebola Zaire remains the most deadly, with a fatality rate of 60%–80%, followed by Sudan (40%–60%) and Bundibugyo (30%–50%).
The current outbreak in the DRC has been traced to the Bundibugyo strain, which, although slightly less severe than Ebola Zaire, still poses a significant public health threat in areas with fragile health systems.
While Nigeria is not currently experiencing any cases, experts agree that the country remains at risk of importation, even if that risk is considered low by WHO standards.
The real concern, they say, is not just whether Ebola will enter Nigeria, but how quickly it would be detected if it does.
On preparedness, Prof. Tomori offers a cautious assessment.
Prof Oyewole explains that Nigeria’s true level of readiness can only be tested in real-time during an outbreak.
Although the country gained global recognition for successfully containing the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Lagos, he warns that current preparedness may not match past performance.
He points to recurring outbreaks such as Lassa fever and diphtheria as signs that some lessons from 2014 may not have been fully sustained.
He also notes that several post-2014 health infrastructure gains have weakened over time.
Still, the 2014 experience remains a reference point for success.
Nigeria’s rapid response then was driven by aggressive contact tracing, strong public awareness, coordinated health agencies, well-equipped laboratories, and decisive communication strategies.
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Prof. Tomori stresses that these remain essential today, particularly the ability to maintain public trust and counter misinformation during health emergencies.
To prevent a possible outbreak, experts recommend urgent action.
This includes increased public awareness, especially among health workers who are at highest risk; strengthened infection prevention and control measures; adequate provision of protective equipment such as gloves, masks, and full PPE; and improved laboratory systems with sufficient diagnostic reagents and kits.
However, weaknesses remain. Airports, border posts, and many hospitals are still not adequately equipped to detect suspected Ebola cases early.
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, surveillance gaps were evident, and experts warn that preparedness has further declined in the post-pandemic period.
Clinically, Ebola remains difficult to detect in its early stages because its symptoms closely resemble those of malaria, typhoid, and Lassa fever.
It often begins with sudden high fever, severe headache, and sore throat, before progressing to vomiting, diarrhoea, and severe dehydration.
In advanced stages, it can cause organ failure, neurological complications, and in some cases, internal and external bleeding.
Because of this overlap with other diseases, Prof. Tomori emphasizes that travel history, exposure risk, and laboratory confirmation are essential for accurate diagnosis.
He also warns that governments often repeat critical mistakes during outbreaks, including poor preparedness, delayed response, and inadequate public communication.
Above all, he stresses that failure to build public trust can undermine even the strongest health interventions.
Clear and rapid communication, he says, is vital not only for guiding the public but also for preventing panic and misinformation. Without it, rumours and fear often spread faster than the virus itself, complicating response efforts.
Misinformation remains one of the most dangerous challenges during Ebola outbreaks. False beliefs about spiritual causes, conspiracy theories, and unverified cures often discourage people from seeking medical help, increasing transmission risks.
Experts say fighting misinformation is therefore as important as medical treatment.
For the public, the emotional reaction to the word “Ebola” is often fear. But health experts urge calm. Instead of panic, they advise reliance on verified information, early reporting of symptoms, and adherence to basic hygiene practices.
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At present, there is no widely available cure for Ebola, although supportive treatment can improve survival. Vaccines exist for some strains, particularly Ebola Zaire, but protection is not universal, especially for the Bundibugyo strain responsible for the current outbreak. This makes prevention and early detection the most effective tools available.
The recurrence of Ebola in Central and West Africa is driven by persistent human contact with animal reservoirs, weak surveillance systems in rural areas, delayed outbreak detection, and limited vaccine coverage.
Until these structural challenges are addressed, experts warn that Ebola will continue to re-emerge.
In the end, the outbreak in the DRC is not just a distant health event. It is a reminder of how quickly disease can cross borders and how fragile preparedness systems can be when not sustained.
For Nigeria, the message from experts is clear: the danger is not immediate, but neither is it absent. Between the two lies preparedness—and the difference between the two may determine the next outbreak story before it even begins.