By Wellington Jopelo
Nigerian health authorities have activated emergency surveillance measures across the country’s airports, seaports and land borders following growing concerns over a fresh Ebola outbreak reported in parts of Africa.
The Federal Government said the move is aimed at preventing the deadly virus from entering Nigeria and ensuring that health officials can quickly identify and respond to any suspected case.
Under the new measures, travellers arriving from affected countries will face increased health screening, while surveillance teams have been deployed to major entry points across the country. Authorities have also directed healthcare facilities to remain alert for possible symptoms associated with Ebola Virus Disease.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said there is currently no confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria. However, officials stressed that preparedness remains critical because of the ease with which infectious diseases can spread through international travel.
Health experts have begun reviewing emergency response plans developed during previous outbreaks, including the successful containment of Ebola in Nigeria in 2014. That outbreak gained international attention after an infected traveller arrived in Lagos, but aggressive contact tracing and rapid intervention helped prevent a nationwide health crisis.
The latest alert follows reports of Ebola cases in parts of East and Central Africa, prompting several countries to strengthen monitoring of international travellers and public health systems.
Government officials said isolation centres, disease surveillance teams and emergency response units are being placed on standby should any suspected case emerge. Public health workers have also been instructed to increase awareness campaigns on the symptoms and prevention of the disease.
Ebola is a severe viral illness that spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals. Symptoms often include fever, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in severe cases, internal bleeding. Without prompt medical treatment, the disease can be fatal.
Medical experts have advised Nigerians not to panic but to remain vigilant and observe proper hygiene practices. They also urged anyone experiencing symptoms after recent international travel to seek immediate medical attention.
The renewed alert comes as health authorities continue efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s disease detection systems amid concerns that global travel and cross-border movement increase the risk of imported infections.
Officials insist that lessons learned from past outbreaks have left Nigeria better prepared to handle potential public health emergencies. However, they warn that continued vigilance by both authorities and the public remains essential to keeping the country free from Ebola.