The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has announced enhanced screening measures for travellers arriving from countries with active or relevant transmission of Ebola Virus Disease, as Nigeria steps up preparedness amid an ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to an interim public health advisory issued by the NCDC on Tuesday, travellers from countries affected by Ebola transmission may be required to complete a Health Declaration Form as part of strengthened surveillance and follow-up measures.
The advisory was signed by the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, following a dynamic assessment of the evolving outbreak and consultations with public health experts and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The agency said the measure is aimed at helping health authorities identify travellers who may have been exposed to the virus and monitor potential risks of importation into Nigeria.
“Travellers from countries with active or relevant EVD transmission may be required to complete the Health Declaration Form as part of enhanced public health surveillance and follow-up measures,” the NCDC said.
Travellers from other countries exempted
The NCDC clarified that the requirement does not currently apply to passengers arriving from all countries.
“Passengers from all other countries are exempt from completing the form, at this time,” the agency stated.
The NCDC said the measures would be reviewed as the epidemiological situation changes and as new public health risk assessments become available.
Nigeria remains on high alert
The development comes against the backdrop of an ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The World Health Organisation reported that, as of September 7, the outbreak in the DRC had recorded more than 6,700 confirmed cases and over 3,200 deaths, with transmission continuing across multiple provinces.
Nigeria had already classified its overall risk of Ebola importation as high earlier in the year because of international travel, population movement, airports, seaports and porous land borders. The NCDC has also identified states including Lagos, the FCT, Rivers, Kano, Enugu, Borno, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Taraba and Adamawa as high-risk preparedness areas.
NCDC urges Nigerians to remain vigilant
The health agency urged Nigerians to pay attention to symptoms consistent with Ebola and seek medical attention promptly where necessary.
“The general public is encouraged to remain vigilant, particularly for symptoms consistent with EVD, and to promptly seek medical attention and report relevant travel or exposure history where applicable,” the NCDC said.
The agency stressed that Nigeria remains on high alert and that preparedness activities are ongoing.
Nigeria had also previously intensified passenger screening and preparedness measures at international airports, including enhanced monitoring of travellers arriving through high-risk routes and the activation of referral and isolation facilities at Lagos and Abuja international airports.
For travellers arriving from countries where Ebola transmission is active or considered relevant, additional health screening and declaration requirements may apply.
For the wider public, the NCDC’s advisory does not indicate that Ebola is currently spreading in Nigeria. Rather, the measures are part of efforts to detect any imported case early and prevent possible local transmission. Nigeria’s health authorities say the response will continue to be adjusted according to the regional outbreak and assessed risk.
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