The federal government has intensified monitoring and screening procedures at every point of entry in response to the ongoing outbreak of the Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Akpan Nse, the director of port health services at the federal ministry of health and social welfare, said in a statement that more staff had been employed to strengthen border surveillance in the country.
He noted that although Nigeria is at risk of importing the virus due to high levels of international travel with the DRC, port health services is on alert and had strengthened surveillance to prevent any infiltration.
“We have intensified surveillance at all points of entry across the country airports, land borders, and seaports. Every inbound traveller coming from Congo to Nigeria is thoroughly screened, and we collect their medical history through mandatory forms,” the statement reads.
“We have also reactivated our portals. Every passenger on every flight coming to Nigeria from Congo is screened upon arrival. This applies to airports, seaports, and land borders. Even if passengers transit through Congo on their way to Nigeria, they must undergo screening.
“In addition, with support from WHO, we have recruited more staff to enhance surveillance. Increasing the workforce allows us to effectively prevent the importation of the virus and ensure thorough screening at all borders.”
He added that some private organisations had partnered with the federal government to ensure that thermal scanners at airports remained fully functional.
Health authorities in the DR Congo declared an outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Kasai province, where 28 suspected cases and 16 deaths, including four health workers, had been reported as of September 5.
The outbreak comes at a time when much of Central and West Africa is grappling with overlapping health and humanitarian crises, including cholera, malnutrition, and population displacement.
The DRC’s last outbreak of Ebola virus disease occurred in the north-western Equateur province in April 2022.
