The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has assured travellers and Nigerians that enhanced health surveillance measures have been activated at international airports across the country following growing concerns over the Ebola outbreak in parts of Central Africa.
FAAN said it is working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Port Health Services and other agencies to strengthen screening and monitoring procedures for passengers arriving from high-risk countries.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, the authority said travellers are now being screened for Ebola-related symptoms at airports, while suspected cases would be isolated immediately for further medical assessment in line with national and international health protocols.
FAAN also disclosed that emergency response procedures have been reinforced, airport personnel sensitised and coordination with stakeholders improved to ensure rapid action if any suspected case is detected.
The reassurance comes days after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a global public health emergency following rising deaths and suspected infections linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had earlier directed airlines and airport operators to intensify disease surveillance and reinforce health protocols across airports nationwide. Measures include stronger passenger screening, contact tracing procedures and mandatory reporting of suspected communicable disease cases onboard flights.
FAAN stressed that there is currently no confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria and urged passengers to remain calm, cooperate with screening officials and promptly report any symptoms to health authorities.
