Ebola: Lagos Airport Reviews Emergency Response, Tightens Passenger Monitoring

Authorities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, have intensified surveillance and passenger screening measures following renewed concerns over the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Lagos State Government health officials and Port Health Services undertook a joint inspection of the airport’s preparedness facilities to assess its capacity to detect, monitor and respond to any potential Ebola threat.

According to a statement issued by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, the exercise was aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of existing emergency response protocols and strengthening preventive measures against the importation of the disease through Nigeria’s busiest airport.

The inspection team comprised key stakeholders from the aviation and health sectors, including Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Emmanuel Akinola Abayomi; MMIA Airport Manager, Mr. Olatokunbo Arewa; FAAN General Manager, Aviation Medical, Dr. Ibrahim Bilikisu; Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide; Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi; and the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Ismail Adeshina Abdus-Salam.

Speaking during the visit, Emmanuel Akinola Abayomi commended FAAN and other agencies for their proactive response to developments surrounding the Ebola outbreak in the DRC.

He stressed the importance of maintaining heightened vigilance, particularly through stricter monitoring of passengers arriving from countries classified as high-risk.

According to him, effective surveillance procedures must remain in place to identify, isolate and closely monitor travellers from affected regions while ensuring full compliance with public health guidelines.

Abayomi noted that sustained collaboration among aviation, health and border control agencies is critical to preventing the importation and spread of infectious diseases through international gateways.

He added that protecting public health remains a top priority for the state government and relevant federal agencies.

In his remarks, MMIA Airport Manager, Olatokunbo Arewa, reaffirmed FAAN’s commitment to maintaining all necessary preventive measures and complying with established health regulations.

He called for stronger synergy among stakeholders and emphasized the need for immediate intervention whenever symptoms associated with Ebola or other infectious diseases are detected.

“Prompt detection, reporting and response are essential to preventing the spread of any infectious disease within the airport environment and beyond,” he said.

Also briefing the delegation, Dr. Abdullahi Lawal, Officer-in-Charge of Port Health Services and Head of the Point of Entry team at MMIA, disclosed that the airport’s emergency preparedness and response plan had been reviewed to reflect current realities.

He said comprehensive risk assessments had been conducted, while airlines operating from high-risk destinations had been identified for enhanced monitoring.

According to him, passenger screening forms are being administered on designated flights and stakeholders have been assigned specific responsibilities under the airport’s emergency response framework.

FAAN’s General Manager, Aviation Medical, Ibrahim Bilikisu, disclosed that FAAN and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority have continued to coordinate response efforts and share information in line with international health regulations and global best practices.

She added that airport personnel and relevant stakeholders have been sensitised and trained to identify, report and respond effectively to potential public health emergencies.

As part of the assessment, members of the Lagos State Government delegation toured critical airport facilities to verify compliance with Ebola surveillance, screening and prevention protocols.

The exercise underscored the determination of health and aviation authorities to maintain a high state of readiness and ensure that MMIA remains equipped to respond swiftly and effectively to any public health emergency.