The Federal government has intensified border screening, disease surveillance and emergency response measures nationwide as part of efforts to prevent the possible importation of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), currently circulating in parts of East and Central Africa.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in a statement on Tuesday by its Assistant Director of Press and Public Relations, Ado Bako, said it has activated enhanced preparedness protocols across the country, including stricter screening procedures at airports, seaports and land borders.
According to the Ministry, arriving travellers are now subject to temperature checks using infrared thermal scanners and handheld thermometers, while health declaration forms, travel history assessments and risk-based screening procedures are being reinforced at designated points of entry.
The Ministry also disclosed that isolation, secondary screening and referral mechanisms have been strengthened for travellers showing symptoms consistent with viral haemorrhagic fevers.
It added that coordination has been expanded among immigration, aviation, maritime and border management agencies to improve early detection and response.
The heightened measures have become imperative following reports of outbreaks of the Bundibugyo ebolavirus disease in parts of the East and Central African region, raising concerns about the risk of cross-border transmission.
Despite the alert, the Ministry reassured Nigerians that there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in the country.
As part of surveillance efforts, the Ministry said Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) activities have been strengthened nationwide, alongside expanded community-based and event-based surveillance systems
