NCDC Mobilises 500 IPC Professionals To Prevent Further Ebola Infections In Nigeria

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has mobilised more than 500 trained Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) professionals to strengthen Nigeria’s response to the confirmed case of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), an Ebola virus disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus….

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has mobilised more than 500 trained Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) professionals to strengthen Nigeria’s response to the confirmed case of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), an Ebola virus disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus.

The initiative aims to strengthen infection prevention practices in healthcare facilities, support frontline health workers and promote the early identification and reporting of suspected cases.

The mobilisation was announced by the NCDC in a statement on Saturday following an alumni assembly organised in collaboration with DRASA Trust, CICaPS and other partners.

The assembly, themed “500+ IPC Alumni: One Network, Many Actions!”, brought together trained professionals to coordinate efforts to prevent further transmission and support the country’s outbreak response.

According to the NCDC, the coordinated actions are particularly important as Nigeria intensifies efforts to contain the outbreak, with one confirmed case reported at the time of the announcement.

The agency said the network would help establish an additional layer of protection against infection by strengthening IPC practices across healthcare facilities and communities.

It added that the initiative would reduce opportunities for transmission and support efforts to prevent the confirmed case from leading to further infections.

The NCDC described the mobilisation as evidence of the lasting value of investing in a skilled health security workforce, noting that professionals trained over the years were now being called upon to apply their knowledge and experience when needed most.

The initiative also highlights the role of collaboration in public health emergency response, with trained health media fellows expected to work alongside IPC professionals to raise public awareness, counter misinformation and encourage behaviours that prevent infection.

The agency urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and follow public health guidance as authorities and partners continue efforts to contain the outbreak.

Under its public health campaign, the NCDC emphasised three key actions: Suspect, Protect, Report.

The agency said a coordinated workforce, supported by public awareness and effective infection prevention measures, would be crucial to protecting Nigerians and preventing further infections.

Get a curated selection of the latest Nigeria and global news, right in your email.