The Anambra State Government has intensified measures to prevent the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), deploying health personnel to key entry points and strengthening surveillance following Nigeria’s confirmation of an imported case of the disease.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, disclosed this on Thursday, October 22, 2026, while addressing journalists in Awka. He urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that no confirmed Ebola case had been recorded in Anambra.
Obidike said the state had been preparing for possible cases and was working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and other health partners to strengthen its readiness.
As part of the measures, health workers have been deployed to Chinua Achebe International Airport in Umueri, motor parks and other busy locations to monitor for suspected cases and facilitate early detection.
The commissioner said the government had also intensified public awareness campaigns and strengthened coordination among health agencies to ensure a prompt response should a suspected case emerge.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and report unusual symptoms, particularly where there had been possible exposure to an infected person or travel to an affected area. He also advised anyone experiencing concerning symptoms to seek medical attention promptly and provide relevant travel and exposure information to health workers.
The state government’s action follows Nigeria’s confirmation of an imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory. The patient, a woman with a recent travel history to Uganda, was receiving treatment in isolation, while health authorities continued contact tracing and monitoring.
Anambra’s surveillance efforts are intended to strengthen early detection and reduce the risk of transmission through airports, border communities and other points of entry.
Obidike appealed to residents to rely on verified information from health authorities and cooperate with surveillance teams, stressing that public awareness and early reporting remain essential to containing infectious disease outbreaks.
The government said it would continue working with relevant national and international partners to monitor the situation and protect public health across the state.
