The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has assured Nigerians and international travellers that there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola virus disease in the country, despite growing concerns over reported outbreaks in parts of Central Africa.
The agency, popularly known as FAAN, said it has already activated stronger health monitoring systems at international airports across the country to prevent any possible importation of the deadly virus into Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, FAAN said health authorities and airport officials are on high alert and are closely monitoring passengers arriving from countries considered to be at higher risk.
The authority explained that robust surveillance systems have been put in place at airports to ensure early detection and immediate response to any suspected case.
According to FAAN, the preventive measures are part of efforts to protect passengers, airport workers and the general public from any potential outbreak.
The agency stated that it is working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Port Health Services and other relevant agencies to strengthen screening procedures for travellers entering the country.
FAAN said passengers arriving from affected or high-risk regions are currently undergoing health checks and monitoring at various international airports nationwide.
It added that airport health officials are screening travellers for symptoms linked to Ebola virus disease, including fever, weakness, vomiting and bleeding.
According to the statement, any traveller suspected to have symptoms connected to the disease would immediately be isolated for further medical examination in line with national and international health guidelines.
“Robust health surveillance and monitoring systems have already been activated across all international airports to ensure early detection and prompt response to any suspected case,” the agency stated.
FAAN also disclosed that it has intensified awareness and sensitisation programmes for airport workers and other stakeholders in the aviation sector.
The agency said emergency response procedures have equally been strengthened to ensure that officials can act quickly if any suspected case is discovered at any airport.
It further explained that coordination among airport authorities, medical personnel and security agencies has been improved to avoid delays during emergency situations.
While assuring Nigerians that there is no Ebola case in the country at the moment, FAAN appealed to passengers to remain calm and cooperate fully with health officials during airport screening exercises.
Travellers were also advised to promptly report any health concerns or symptoms to airport authorities for quick medical attention.
The statement comes amid renewed fears in parts of Africa following reports of Ebola outbreaks in some Central African countries.
Ebola virus disease is one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases. It spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected persons or contaminated materials.
The disease can cause severe fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and internal bleeding. In many cases, it has a high fatality rate if not quickly detected and managed.
Nigeria previously faced a major Ebola scare in 2014 after an infected Liberian-American diplomat, Patrick Sawyer, arrived in Lagos through the airport.
The development triggered widespread panic across the country at the time and raised fears of a national health emergency because of Nigeria’s large population and busy transport system.
However, Nigerian health authorities, working with international partners, were able to quickly trace contacts, isolate infected persons and contain the outbreak within a few months.
The successful response won international praise and was seen as one of Africa’s most effective emergency public health interventions.
A total of 20 Ebola cases and eight deaths were officially recorded in Nigeria during the 2014 outbreak before the country was later declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization.
Since then, Nigerian authorities have continued to strengthen disease surveillance systems at airports, seaports and land borders to prevent future outbreaks.
This is why health screening and surveillance measures are often intensified whenever there are outbreaks in other parts of the world.
Aviation and health authorities have also repeatedly stressed the importance of public cooperation during health emergencies.
FAAN noted that airport officials have been directed to maintain strict monitoring while ensuring that passengers are treated professionally and without panic.
The agency added that all actions currently being taken are precautionary and aimed at keeping Nigeria safe from any possible health threat.
The renewed alert over Ebola comes at a time when many countries are still improving their health systems following lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed weaknesses in global emergency response structures.
In Nigeria, memories of the 2014 Ebola outbreak still remain fresh for many citizens, especially residents of Lagos where the first case was recorded.
The outbreak forced schools, hospitals, airports and public institutions to introduce emergency safety measures to stop the virus from spreading further.
Many Nigerians also became more aware of hygiene practices such as regular hand washing, use of sanitisers and avoiding physical contact during that period.
Although no Ebola case has been confirmed in the country now, health authorities say preventive action remains necessary because viruses can spread quickly across borders through international travel.
FAAN maintained that there is no cause for alarm and assured Nigerians that the country’s airports remain safe for travel and business activities.
The authority said it would continue to work with health agencies and international partners to ensure that Nigeria remains protected from any possible outbreak.
It also urged members of the public to rely on verified information from official agencies and avoid spreading rumours capable of creating unnecessary fear and confusion among citizens.