The Federal Government has intensified health surveillance at airports, seaports and land borders as part of efforts to prevent the importation of Ebola Virus Disease into Nigeria.
The government also announced that travellers identified as high-risk or displaying symptoms associated with Ebola and other viral haemorrhagic fevers will undergo additional screening, isolation and referral procedures where necessary.
The move follows growing concerns over the ongoing outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in parts of East and Central Africa and forms part of Nigeria’s broader preparedness strategy against cross-border disease transmission.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare assured Nigerians that no confirmed case of Ebola has been recorded in the country.
The ministry, however, stated that precautionary measures have been activated nationwide to strengthen the country’s public health response and safeguard citizens.
According to the statement, enhanced border surveillance remains a key component of the government’s preparedness plan, with health authorities directed to intensify screening and risk assessment procedures for incoming travellers.
The measures include mandatory temperature checks using thermal scanners and handheld thermometers, health declaration forms, travel history assessments and enhanced risk profiling at designated points of entry.
Authorities have also established secondary screening, isolation and referral systems for travellers showing symptoms consistent with viral haemorrhagic diseases.
The ministry said surveillance activities have been strengthened across the country through improved Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response programmes, community-based monitoring systems and active tracking of public health alerts.
It further disclosed that Public Health Emergency Operations Centres have been activated, while Rapid Response Teams at both national and state levels have been placed on standby.
Healthcare facilities nationwide have also been directed to reinforce infection prevention and control measures, improve patient triage systems and promptly report any suspected cases.
The ministry urged Nigerians not to panic, stressing that the measures are preventive and designed to ensure the country remains adequately prepared for any potential outbreak.
Citizens were advised to maintain proper hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with bodily fluids of sick individuals, refrain from handling dead animals or bushmeat from unknown sources and promptly report unusual illnesses or deaths to health authorities.
Reps Raise Concern Over NCDC Funding Challenges
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has expressed concern over what lawmakers described as a serious funding crisis affecting the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
The concern followed a motion sponsored by the member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, Amobi Ogah, during plenary on Tuesday.
Ogah warned that inadequate funding could undermine the agency’s ability to respond effectively to a potential Ebola outbreak and other public health emergencies.
The lawmaker recalled that the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo in May, prompting the NCDC to place Nigeria on heightened alert.
He questioned how the agency could effectively implement preparedness measures amid reports of limited operational funding, inadequate overhead releases and stalled health projects.
According to him, the financial constraints have affected critical areas, including disease surveillance, laboratory operations, outbreak response activities and emergency preparedness.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Federal Government to release adequate funds to the NCDC to enable the agency to carry out its responsibilities effectively.
Lawmakers also called on port health authorities to strengthen cross-border screening and surveillance efforts to prevent the entry of infected persons into the country.
In addition, the House mandated its relevant committees to monitor the utilisation of released funds and ensure compliance with resolutions aimed at improving the country’s disease preparedness and response capacity.
