The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has admitted that Nigeria is at high risk of importing the Sudan Ebola virus.

This was made known by Ifedayo Adetifa, the agency’s director-general, in a statement on Tuesday.

“Based on available data, the overall risk of importation of the Ebola virus and the impact on the health of Nigerians has been assessed as HIGH for the following reasons,” the statement reads in part.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Evading Treatment Becomes First Monkeypox Case in Two Countries

“The Sudan Ebola Virus does not currently have an effective drug for treatment or licensed vaccine for prevention.

“The extent of the outbreak in Uganda has not yet been ascertained as investigations have shown that some persons may have died with similar symptoms which were not reported to health authorities. In addition, their burials were not conducted safely to prevent transmission.

“The likelihood of importation to Nigeria is high due to the increased air travel between Nigeria and Uganda, especially through Kenya’s Nairobi airport, a regional transport hub, and other neighbouring countries that share a direct border with Uganda.

“The likelihood of spread in Nigeria following importation is high due to the gatherings and travel associated with politics, the coming yuletide as well as other religious gatherings and festivals during the last few months of the year.”

READ ALSO: Contagious, No Origin, No Cure. What to Know About Tomato Flu, the Viral Disease that Broke Out in India

The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) affects humans who have been in contact with any strain of the Ebola virus. The fatality rate is also very high. Previous Ebola virus cases from the Sudan strain have had fatality ratios ranging from 41 to 100 per cent.

The Sudan strain has also caused seven outbreaks since June 1976 (four in Uganda and three in Sudan).

10 people, including four health workers, have recently died of EVD in Uganda.

Symptoms of EVD include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat. These symptoms later give way to vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function. The symptoms may emerge between two and 21 days after exposure to the virus.