NCDC Tightens Health Rules for International Travelers After Ebola Case

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has widened its health declaration rules for international travelers after confirming an Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Director-General of the agency, Jide Idris, shared this news during a media briefing in Abuja on Sunday.

Mr Idris explained that the requirement first applied to all international travelers. Later, it was limited to passengers coming from certain countries linked to the Ebola outbreak, like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

"But with this case, we have reversed that directive," he stated.

He mentioned that the NCDC has sent notices to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). They expect more instructions to help with implementation in partnership with airlines.

Airport Screening

Mr Idris noted that Nigeria's readiness plans focus on five international airports: Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano, and Port Harcourt.

He said Port Health Services is collaborating with aviation workers, immigration, and customs officials to improve screening and preparedness at the country's entry points.

According to Mr Idris, the NCDC must work with aviation authorities since it does not have full control over airport operations.

He added that agencies are working together to put the necessary measures in place, and immigration and customs officials are also involved at land borders.

Mr Idris recognized the challenges at Lagos airport, where construction is causing problems. He said the NCDC would discuss these issues with FAAN and the NCAA to help Port Health Services.

He emphasized that access to restricted areas at the airport must follow security rules.

Ebola Response

The updated screening measures are part of Nigeria's response to a confirmed Ebola case caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the FCT on 20 October.

As PREMIUM TIMES reported, the patient is a 42-year-old Ugandan woman who came to Nigeria from Uganda on 3 October. She started showing symptoms on 6 October and sought medical help before her infection was confirmed.

At the briefing, Mr Idris said health authorities have found 53 primary contacts linked to the patient. This includes 44 people from the health facility where she was treated and nine more contacts, including family members. They attended to her at a different facility and were part of the FCT team that took samples.

He stated that contact tracing is still ongoing and officials are watching the identified contacts.

Health officers are reaching out to contacts for 21 days, which is the maximum incubation period for Ebola, to check for any symptoms that could suggest an infection.

Mr Idris urged Nigerians identified as contacts to work with public health officials, stressing that being a contact does not mean a person has Ebola.

The NCDC is also strengthening infection prevention and control in healthcare centers, helping with laboratory capacity, and sharing public health information to fight rumors and misinformation.

The agency urged Nigerians to rely on verified information from trusted public health sources and to cooperate with response measures as investigations continue.