The World Health Organization (WHO) says Nigeria currently faces a low risk of Ebola infection compared to neighbouring countries in West Africa, despite growing concerns over a regional outbreak.
The Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, Chikwe Ihekweazu, made this known on Tuesday, June 1, during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show.
He explained that the ongoing situation marks only the ninth time in history that an outbreak has been classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
“Uganda is the only country with confirmed Ebola cases outside Democratic Republic of Congo. Nigeria’s risk is low.”
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Ihekweazu stressed that the outbreak remains serious and requires a coordinated global response, noting that the disease has already crossed borders.
“This Ebola outbreak is serious and requires an internationally coordinated response. It has already spread to other countries.”
He added that this is the third time Ebola has met the criteria for such an emergency declaration, with more than 300 confirmed cases recorded across the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“This is the third time Ebola has met this criterion. There are over 300 confirmed cases spread throughout the DR Congo,” he said.
Ebola is a severe and often fatal viral disease transmitted from animals to humans, causing haemorrhagic fever in infected individuals.