Ebola: FG Strengthens Surveillance, Activates Airport Screening

The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola virus disease in the country, while activating enhanced surveillance and preventive measures following new outbreaks in parts of Africa.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, said the government is closely monitoring the situation through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Port Health Services, and international partners including the World Health Organisation.

He explained that Nigeria has strengthened surveillance systems nationwide, activated screening protocols at points of entry, and improved laboratory preparedness to ensure early detection and rapid response.

According to him, additional measures include intensified infection prevention and control in health facilities, expanded public awareness campaigns, and closer coordination with state health ministries.

Pate urged Nigerians to remain calm, avoid misinformation, and maintain basic hygiene practices such as regular handwashing and avoiding contact with bodily fluids of sick individuals. He also advised healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion and report suspected cases immediately.

Similarly, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that it has stepped up passenger screening and emergency response procedures across all international airports in collaboration with relevant health agencies.

FAAN said travellers arriving from high-risk countries are undergoing enhanced health checks, with officials on alert to isolate any suspected Ebola case in line with international protocols.

The agency added that the measures are aimed at reassuring travellers and maintaining safe airport operations despite renewed health concerns in the Central African region.

The updates come amid reports of Ebola outbreaks in parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, where hundreds of suspected cases and several deaths have been recorded.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified the situation as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, noting that the risk remains high at national and regional levels but low globally.

WHO officials said efforts are focused on tracing transmission chains and containing the spread, with investigations ongoing into suspected super-spreader events linked to funerals and healthcare settings.

Health authorities have also confirmed that the current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which no approved vaccine or treatment is available, raising concerns about containment efforts in affected areas.