The Federal Government has intensified health screening and surveillance at airports, seaports and land borders across the country following the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in parts of Central Africa.
The move comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday revised the number of suspected Ebola cases in the affected region to 116, down from more than 900 earlier reported, while confirming 330 cases.
In a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and signed by its Assistant Director of Press and Public Relations, Ado Bako, the government assured Nigerians that no Ebola case had been recorded in the country.
The ministry, however, said heightened preparedness measures had been activated nationwide to prevent cross-border transmission and strengthen the country’s health security framework.
“The ministry wishes to reassure Nigerians that there is presently no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria. However, in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening national health security and preventing cross-border disease transmission, heightened preparedness measures have been activated nationwide,” the statement said.
As part of the response, health authorities have strengthened screening and risk assessment procedures for all incoming travellers at designated points of entry.
The measures include mandatory temperature checks using infrared thermal scanners and handheld thermometers, health declaration requirements, travel history assessments and enhanced risk profiling. Secondary screening, isolation and referral mechanisms have also been put in place for travellers displaying symptoms associated with viral haemorrhagic fevers.
The ministry said disease surveillance had been reinforced nationwide through enhanced Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) activities, expanded community-based surveillance networks and continuous monitoring of public health alerts to ensure early detection of suspected cases.
It further disclosed that Public Health Emergency Operations Centres have been activated, while Rapid Response Teams at national and sub-national levels have been placed on standby.
Healthcare facilities across the country have also been directed to strengthen infection prevention and control measures, improve triage systems and ensure prompt reporting and isolation of suspected cases.
According to the ministry, hospitals and clinics have been advised to maintain a high level of vigilance for viral haemorrhagic fevers and strictly adhere to established reporting protocols.
While urging citizens to remain calm, the government stressed that the measures are purely precautionary and aimed at ensuring the country is adequately prepared for any potential outbreak.
Nigerians were also advised to maintain regular hand hygiene, avoid contact with bodily fluids of sick individuals, refrain from handling dead animals or bushmeat from unknown sources, and promptly report unusual illnesses or deaths to health authorities.