Ebola Case Prompts Heightened Surveillance at Nigerian Airports
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has intensified vigilance across the country’s airports following the confirmation of an Ebola Virus Disease case in the Federal Capital Territory, as authorities work to prevent further transmission. The agency said it is coordinating with public health institutions to strengthen surveillance and support containment efforts following the diagnosis of a woman who recently travelled to Nigeria from Uganda.
The patient was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT after arriving on an international flight and was subsequently confirmed to have Ebola through laboratory testing. She is currently receiving treatment in isolation, while the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has identified 44 people, including healthcare workers, caregivers, other patients and travel contacts, for monitoring.
FAAN is working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Port Health Services, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant agencies to coordinate its response. The authority said airport operations remain under heightened surveillance, with further measures to be implemented in line with guidance from public health officials.
The development has renewed attention on Nigeria’s preparedness to respond to imported infectious diseases, particularly through international travel routes. The confirmed case is the country’s first reported Ebola infection since the 2014 outbreak, which was successfully contained. FAAN has urged passengers, airlines and airport personnel to remain calm, cooperate with health officials and rely on verified information as surveillance and containment efforts continue.
