Nigeria Forms Taskforce to Prevent Ebola Outbreak

On Thursday, the Nigerian Federal Government inaugurated a presidential taskforce to prevent an Ebola outbreak, led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila. The taskforce's objective is to determine measures that the current administration can implement to forestall the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus disease.

Gbajabiamila noted that Nigeria has made significant progress, with no reported cases of Ebola, and emphasized the importance of proactive measures to prevent a situation similar to past outbreaks. The taskforce will establish several subcommittees focusing on critical areas such as surveillance and border control, particularly at international airports and land borders, to prevent the virus from entering the country.

Dr. Jide Idri, Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), confirmed that there are currently no recorded incidents of Ebola in Nigeria but stressed the need for ongoing surveillance, especially given developments in certain African countries. The government aims to maintain zero cases of Ebola through effective preparedness and rapid response.