The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has activated enhanced Ebola response protocols at all international airports nationwide to strengthen surveillance, screening, and emergency preparedness measures against the possible spread of the virus into Nigeria.
The disclosure was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by Henry Agbebire, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at FAAN.
The development follows the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease in parts of Central Africa, which has triggered renewed regional health surveillance and cross-border preparedness efforts.
What they are saying
FAAN said it has intensified preventive health operations at international airports in partnership with health agencies, including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and Port Health Services.
The authority explained that passengers from high-risk regions are undergoing enhanced screening, while suspected cases will be isolated for further medical evaluation.
- “The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to reassure the travelling public and stakeholders that robust preventive measures have been put in place across all international airports in response to the recent Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) situation in parts of Central Africa,” the statement read in part.
- FAAN said surveillance and monitoring have been increased, especially for travellers arriving from affected regions
- The agency noted that any passenger showing symptoms consistent with Ebola will be isolated and referred for secondary medical checks
FAAN further stated that the measures are aligned with national and international health guidelines to ensure aviation safety and public health protection.
More insights
FAAN disclosed that airport staff have been further trained and sensitised on updated emergency response protocols to improve coordination across all terminals.
- The authority said the objective is to ensure a balance between swift health intervention and smooth airport operations for passengers.
- It also maintained that Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease at this time, urging travellers not to panic.
FAAN encouraged passengers to fully comply with screening procedures and promptly report any symptoms to health officials to support early detection and containment efforts.
Get up to speed
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak linked to the Bundibugyo strain a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), citing rising cross-border spread and uncertainty around the full scale of infections.
- According to the WHO, the outbreak has been recorded in parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), with confirmed spread to Uganda following the movement of infected individuals.
- The organization also warned of possible underreporting due to rising suspected cases and unexplained deaths in affected regions.
WHO confirmed that the outbreak has so far recorded laboratory-confirmed infections and suspected fatalities across multiple health zones, raising concerns about wider regional transmission if containment measures fail.
What you should know
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) has confirmed that Nigeria has not recorded any case of Ebola Virus Disease despite heightened regional risk linked to the Bundibugyo strain outbreak.
The agency said it is strengthening surveillance and preparedness systems in response to the outbreak declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization.
- NCDC said no Ebola case has been detected in Nigeria so far
- It noted increased cross-border movement as a key risk factor being closely monitored
- The agency is enhancing laboratory readiness, infection prevention, and risk communication efforts
- Nigerians were urged to report symptoms early and rely only on official health updates
The NCDC also advised healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for Ebola in patients with compatible symptoms and relevant travel history, while strictly adhering to infection prevention protocols.
