The Federal Government has intensified monitoring and screening procedures at all points of entry in response to the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Director of Port Health Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Akpan Nse, confirmed this in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, stating that more staff have been deployed to strengthen border surveillance across the country.
Health authorities in the DRC declared an outbreak of Ebola in Kasai Province after recording 28 suspected cases and 16 deaths, including four health workers, as of September 5, 2025. Laboratory tests confirmed the outbreak was caused by the Zaire strain of the virus.
Dr. Nse noted that Nigeria was at risk due to frequent travel links with the DRC but assured that the country had reactivated its surveillance portals and stepped up preventive measures.
“We have intensified surveillance at all points of entry—airports, land borders, and seaports. Every inbound traveller from Congo is screened and required to submit health declaration forms. Even passengers transiting through Congo are subjected to mandatory checks,” he said.
He disclosed that, with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO), additional personnel had been recruited to boost capacity, while private sector partners were ensuring that airport thermal scanners remained fully functional.
Meanwhile, the WHO has released $500,000 from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support the DRC’s response. Its Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said rapid response teams were already tracing contacts, collecting samples, and delivering protective and medical supplies, including 2,000 prepositioned Ebola vaccines.
Nigeria’s medical experts have urged vigilance. Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases at Adeleke University, Dr. Oladipo Kolawole, called for stronger coordination across ministries and agencies.
“We must not let down our guard. Everyone entering from DR Congo must be properly screened. Nigeria has the structures in place from past experience, but we need to keep our systems tightened,” he said.
Similarly, virologist Dr. Moses Adewumi of the University of Ibadan stressed early detection.
“We cannot stop travel, but we must ensure strict surveillance at airports and land borders. Early detection is key to prevention,” he warned.
At the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, infectious diseases expert Dr. Iorhen Akase advised Nigerians to remain alert to unusual illnesses in their communities.
“Government surveillance is crucial, but individuals also have a role. Anyone showing symptoms should seek immediate medical care. Community vigilance can make a difference,” he said.
Nigeria successfully contained the Ebola outbreak of 2014 through rapid detection and coordinated response, a model experts say must be sustained to prevent importation of the virus during the current crisis
