• The Federal Government has intensified Ebola screening at airports, seaports and land borders
• Although, no confirmed Ebola case has been reported in Nigeria, according to the Health Ministry
• Enhanced surveillance systems and emergency response mechanisms have been activated nationwide

The Federal Government has stepped up health surveillance measures at airports, seaports and land borders across the country in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in parts of East and Central Africa.

As part of the enhanced precautionary measures, travellers considered high-risk or those showing symptoms linked to Ebola and other viral haemorrhagic fevers will undergo additional screening, isolation and referral procedures.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare announced the development on Tuesday, June 2, stressing that Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease but has activated nationwide preparedness measures to prevent a possible importation of the virus.

In a statement signed by the Assistant Director of Press and Public Relations, Ado Bako, the ministry reassured citizens that there is currently no cause for alarm.

“The ministry wishes to reassure Nigerians that there is presently no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria.

“However, in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening national health security and preventing cross-border disease transmission, heightened preparedness measures have been activated nationwide,” the statement said.

The ministry disclosed that health authorities have intensified surveillance and risk assessment procedures at all designated entry points.

These measures include mandatory temperature screening using infrared thermal scanners and handheld thermometers, travel history assessments, health declaration forms and enhanced risk profiling for incoming travellers.

Officials have also established secondary screening systems, isolation protocols and referral mechanisms for individuals displaying symptoms associated with viral haemorrhagic fevers.

The renewed vigilance mirrors measures implemented during previous public health emergencies, including the 2014 Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyond border control, the government said disease surveillance activities have been strengthened nationwide through enhanced Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response programmes, active monitoring of health alerts, and reinforced community-based surveillance networks.

According to the ministry, Public Health Emergency Operations Centres have been activated while Rapid Response Teams at both national and state levels remain on standby to tackle any potential outbreak.

Healthcare institutions have also been directed to heighten infection prevention and control measures, improve patient triage systems and ensure immediate reporting of suspected Ebola cases.

“Healthcare facilities nationwide have also been advised to maintain a high index of suspicion for viral haemorrhagic fevers, strengthen triage systems, promptly isolate suspected cases, and adhere strictly to established reporting protocols,” the ministry stated.

While urging Nigerians to remain calm, authorities advised the public to maintain good hand hygiene, avoid contact with bodily fluids of sick individuals, refrain from handling bushmeat or dead animals from unknown sources, and promptly report unusual illnesses or deaths to health officials.

Ebola emergency watch begins in Lagos, FCT, eight states over deadly new strain

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention had placed Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, and eight other states on high Ebola alert following the outbreak of the deadly Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola Virus Disease in parts of East and Central Africa.

The NCDC warned that Nigeria faces a significant risk of importing the virus because of rising regional transmission, increased international travel, porous borders, and population movement across the continent.

The agency identified Lagos, the FCT, Rivers, Kano, Enugu, Borno, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Taraba, and Adamawa as high-risk locations due to the presence of international airports, seaports, border routes, and heavy human traffic.