Ebola: Abuja Airport Steps Up Surveillance, Sensitisation

The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, has intensified sensitisation and preventive measures following Nigeria’s decision to place the country on high alert over the ongoing Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at Abuja Airport said it had commenced heightened awareness among passengers and relevant airport personnel as part of measures to prevent the possible importation and spread of the virus.

The airport spokesperson, Bishop Kunle, told LEADERSHIP that the facility was already conducting extensive sensitisation and was prepared to support the screening, monitoring, and tracing of passengers where necessary.

Ebola: NCDC Tightens Screening, Targets Travellers From High-Risk Countries

He also said the FAAN authority enforces the completion of the health declaration form for contact tracing before leaving the airport.

He said the measures were being implemented in line with the public health alert issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

The NCDC had placed Nigeria on high alert following an update on the Ebola outbreak in the DRC, with the Director-General, Jide Idris, saying preparatory activities were underway to strengthen the country’s readiness to respond to any potential threat.

Idris said the preparedness measures would be continuously reviewed in line with the evolving epidemiological situation and public health risk assessment.

As part of enhanced surveillance, the NCDC advised travellers arriving from countries with active or relevant Ebola transmission to complete the Health Declaration Form and comply with follow-up measures.

It clarified that passengers arriving from other countries were exempt from completing the form at the time of the advisory.

The health agency also urged members of the public to remain vigilant for Ebola symptoms and seek medical attention promptly where necessary.

It further advised travellers to disclose relevant travel or exposure history to health officials where applicable.

According to the NCDC, the decision followed a dynamic risk assessment and consultations with public health experts and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The Centre reiterated its commitment to protecting Nigerians through evidence-based surveillance, preparedness and response to emerging public health threats.

Meanwhile, data on the Ebola situation in the DRC showed that a total of 7,672 confirmed cases, including 3,699 deaths, had been reported as of 20 September 2026, based on information available up to 19 September.

The report indicated that 886 patients were hospitalised in isolation, while 1,879 people who tested positive for the Bundibugyo virus had recovered.

A further 58 confirmed cases and 23 deaths were recorded compared with the previous report issued on 19 September.

The new cases were reported in Ituri, which recorded 38 cases; North Kivu, 14; Haut-Uélé, five; and Tshopo, one.

The report also stated that 79.9 per cent of identified contacts of confirmed cases were under follow-up in the affected provinces.

Port Harcourt Airport Develops Jingles To Sensitise Passengers, Airport Users

The management of the Port Harcourt International Airport has developed jingles to Sensitise passengers and other users of the facility about the Ebola outbreak in Congo.

The airport’s head of Corporate Affairs, Dr Ngozi V. Onyeanwuna-Nwosu, could not respond to calls and text messages sent to her, but the chairman of the Aviation Workers Union, Emmanuel Akagha, confirmed the development in a chat with LEADERSHIP.

“We got a notice that there was a meeting with the health authorities, and they came up with jingles. In that jingle, they informed people, especially arriving and departing passengers, of the spread of Ebola in Congo or thereabout.

“Secondly, on arrival, the health authorities profile passengers with their thermometers and other instruments. Thirdly, passengers come to fill in their information; if they scan something, their information will appear, and they will then complete the report and send it back to the platform, just as was done during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Again, when you are coming into the airport, there are health authorities standing in front checking passengers and airport users that are accessing the airport,” Akagha said.