Ebola: WHO Says Nigeria’s Risk Is Low

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the risk of Ebola in Nigeria is low compared with neighbouring West African countries.

WHO Health Emergencies Programme Executive Director Chikwe Ihekweazu made the comment on Tuesday during an interview on Arise Television’s “Morning Show.”

He noted that this is only the ninth time in history that an outbreak has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

“Uganda is the only country with confirmed Ebola cases outside the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nigeria’s risk is low,” Ihekweazu said.

“This Ebola outbreak is serious and requires an internationally coordinated response. It has already spread to other countries,” he added.

“This is the third time Ebola has met this criterion. There are over 300 confirmed cases spread throughout the DR Congo,” he said.

Daily Post reports that the Ebola virus is a severe, often fatal zoonotic pathogen that causes viral hemorrhagic fever in humans and non‑human primates.