Nigeria tightens border controls as Ebola threat looms over East and Central Africa

The Federal Government has stepped up disease surveillance at airports, seaports and land crossings nationwide as part of intensive efforts to prevent the Ebola virus from entering the country amid increasing outbreaks in parts of East and Central Africa.

Under these enhanced measures, travelers deemed high risk or those showing symptoms related to Ebola and other dengue viruses will undergo additional screening procedures and may be isolated and referred for further medical evaluation if necessary.

This latest intervention follows concerns over the spread of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease in affected African countries and aims to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness for potential importation of the virus.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and signed by the Assistant Director of Press and Public Relations, Ado Bako, authorities stressed that Nigeria remained free of confirmed Ebola infections while assuring citizens that preventative measures were being taken nationwide.

“The Ministry wishes to assure the Nigerian public that there are currently no confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria.

“However, in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening national health security and preventing cross-border transmission of the disease, enhanced preparedness measures have been activated nationwide,” the ministry said.

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Health officials said border monitoring has been a key pillar of the country’s preparedness strategy, with all entry points directed to strengthen health checks and risk assessments for incoming travelers.

Enhanced protocols include mandatory temperature checks via infrared thermal devices and handheld thermometers, travel history checks, completion of health declaration forms, and expanded passenger risk profiles.

According to the ministry, authorities have introduced “enhanced tourist risk assessment and screening procedures at designated entry points” and established “secondary screening, isolation and referral mechanisms for travelers who show symptoms consistent with viral dengue fever.”

The measures reflect increased border controls previously implemented during public health emergencies, including Nigeria’s response to the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to entry points, the government said disease monitoring systems have been strengthened nationwide through expanded surveillance programs and community-level reporting networks designed to quickly identify any suspected cases.

The statement noted that “scaled-up Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response activities nationwide” and “strengthened event-based and community-based surveillance systems” are currently underway to ensure early detection of any suspected cases.

As part of the emergency preparedness framework, the ministry revealed that the Public Health Emergency Operations Center has been activated, while Rapid Response Teams at the federal and state levels remain on standby to be immediately deployed if needed.

Healthcare institutions have also been instructed to strengthen infection control measures, improve patient screening processes and ensure prompt reporting of suspected cases of viral dengue fever.

“Healthcare facilities across the country have also been advised to maintain a high level of suspicion for the dengue virus, strengthen triage systems, promptly isolate suspected cases, and strictly adhere to established reporting protocols,” the ministry said.

While urging the public to remain calm, the government emphasized that the measures taken are preventive, not reactive, and are intended to keep the country prepared for any possible outbreak.

The ministry also encouraged Nigerians to maintain strict personal hygiene practices, in particular washing hands regularly, avoiding contact with bodily fluids of sick people, staying away from dead animals and bushmeat originating from unverified sources, and immediately notifying health authorities of any unusual illnesses or unexplained deaths.