Nigeria has strengthened health surveillance across all its international airports and borders as the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo worsens, putting the entire West African region on edge.
According to health authorities as of Friday, September 26, all passengers arriving from countries affected by Ebola transmission are now required to complete the Nigeria Health Declaration Form, provide detailed travel history, health status and contact details, and undergo mandatory screening at entry points. Officials say those identified will be monitored for up to 21 days, which is the incubation period for the virus.
The move became urgent after reports from eastern DR Congo showed the situation deteriorating rapidly. In Butembo, one of the major cities in North Kivu, the Kitatumba Ebola treatment centre reached full capacity during the week ending September 25, with all 29 beds occupied by severely ill patients while health workers battle to contain further transmission.
Nigeria has not recorded any Ebola case in this latest wave, but the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Port Health Services say the measures are preventive to ensure any imported case is identified and contained quickly. The Federal Government has also called on Nigerians to avoid panic but remain vigilant and report any symptoms.
The renewed Ebola scare comes at a time when Nigeria is already battling other health emergencies, including a cholera outbreak that killed two inmates at Kurmawa Prison in Kano on September 23, and a diphtheria outbreak in Plateau State where 31 deaths and 469 suspected cases have been recorded.
With memories of the 2014 Ebola outbreak still fresh, health experts say Nigeria cannot afford to lower its guard.
