Nigeria’s public health authorities have stepped up monitoring and response efforts following the confirmation of a new COVID-19 case in Cross River State.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control said it is working closely with state officials to contain the situation, with emergency response measures already activated.
Speaking in Abuja, the agency’s Director-General, Jide Idris, confirmed that contact tracing, surveillance, and infection prevention protocols have been intensified since the case was detected.
According to reports, the case involves a 53-year-old foreign national who developed symptoms weeks after arriving in Nigeria and later tested positive at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.
Cross River’s Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, said the patient has been admitted and is responding to treatment, while medical teams continue to analyse samples to guide further care.
Health officials say all identified contacts are being closely monitored, with no indication so far of wider community transmission.
Authorities also stressed that the development highlights the continued effectiveness of Nigeria’s disease surveillance system, noting that early detection and rapid response remain critical in preventing outbreaks.
Residents have been advised to stay calm but vigilant, maintain proper hygiene, and seek medical attention if symptoms arise. The NCDC also urged the public to rely on verified updates from official health channels.
Nigeria first recorded COVID-19 in February 2020, triggering a nationwide response that saw the establishment of isolation centres and emergency operations across the country. Although cases have significantly declined, experts warn that the virus has not been eradicated globally and may still appear sporadically.
Health authorities say sustained vigilance, strong surveillance systems, and public cooperation remain key to preventing a resurgence.
