Ebola Outbreak in DRC: Nigeria Tightens Border Screening to Prevent Spread

Ebola Outbreak in DRC: Nigeria Tightens Border Screening to Prevent Spread

The Federal Government of Nigeria has intensified health surveillance at all entry points following confirmation of a new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The outbreak, reported in Kasai Province of the DRC, has already claimed 15 lives out of 28 suspected cases, including four health workers. Laboratory analysis by the National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa confirmed the strain to be Ebola Zaire, the deadliest of the virus types.

In response, Nigeria’s Director of Port Health Services, Dr. Akpan Nse, said that comprehensive measures have been activated across airports, land borders, and seaports. Passengers arriving from the DRC are now subject to rigorous screening procedures, which include medical history checks and monitoring for symptoms.

He noted that Nigeria has reactivated surveillance portals nationwide to track and screen all incoming passengers, regardless of transit routes, in a bid to detect potential cases early.

“The government is not leaving anything to chance. We are working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners to ensure the virus does not enter Nigeria,” Dr. Nse assured.

Nigeria has also deployed additional health workers to boost monitoring capacity across the country. Officials are urging the public to remain calm but vigilant, stressing the importance of hygiene practices and early reporting of suspicious symptoms.

The Ebola virus, which spreads through direct contact with blood or bodily fluids of infected persons, has a high fatality rate and poses a significant public health threat if not swiftly contained.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has intensified health surveillance at all entry points following confirmation of a new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The outbreak, reported in Kasai Province of the DRC, has already claimed 15 lives out of 28 suspected cases, including four health workers. Laboratory analysis by the National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa confirmed the strain to be Ebola Zaire, the deadliest of the virus types.

In response, Nigeria’s Director of Port Health Services, Dr. Akpan Nse, said that comprehensive measures have been activated across airports, land borders, and seaports. Passengers arriving from the DRC are now subject to rigorous screening procedures, which include medical history checks and monitoring for symptoms.

He noted that Nigeria has reactivated surveillance portals nationwide to track and screen all incoming passengers, regardless of transit routes, in a bid to detect potential cases early.

“The government is not leaving anything to chance. We are working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners to ensure the virus does not enter Nigeria,” Dr. Nse assured.

Nigeria has also deployed additional health workers to boost monitoring capacity across the country. Officials are urging the public to remain calm but vigilant, stressing the importance of hygiene practices and early reporting of suspicious symptoms.

The Ebola virus, which spreads through direct contact with blood or bodily fluids of infected persons, has a high fatality rate and poses a significant public health threat if not swiftly contained.