Zamfara Steps Up Ebola Screening at Airport and Motor Parks

Zamfara Government has increased checks against the Ebola virus by conducting mass screenings at Gusau International Airport and motor parks. This is to stop any possible spread of the virus in the state.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nafisa Maradun, shared this news while launching the response team at the Gusau International Airport on Friday.

She explained that the state started these measures after a passenger, a local from Zamfara, returned from Saudi Arabia via EgyptAir and showed high temperature.

Maradun said these actions aim to prevent an Ebola outbreak in the state. She also mentioned that the government is stepping up checks for passengers and commuters at Gusau motor parks and other entry points. Public awareness is a key part of stopping any possible spread of the virus.

This move comes after the first case was reported in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that the first patient diagnosed with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in Nigeria is a woman from Uganda. She arrived in the FCT with her husband on 3 October.

While launching the response at the airport, Maradun said, "It becomes necessary as the surveillance team identified a passenger arriving from Saudi Arabia via EgyptAir with high temperature."

She added that officials have been sent to the airport to check passengers arriving in Zamfara by air to make sure no one brings the Ebola virus into the state.

Additionally, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Zamfara Chapter, has teamed up with key stakeholders to boost checks and preventive measures against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the state.

The State NMA Chairman, Dr Muhammad Murtala, mentioned this at a press conference in Gusau on Friday, which coincided with the 2026 Physicians’ Week. The theme for this year's Physicians’ Week is "Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria."

Dr Murtala, who is also the Incident Manager at the Polio Emergency Operations Centre in the state, said the NMA, working with the state Ministry of Health and partners, has created a plan to raise public awareness about Ebola.

Dr Murtala added that the Ministry of Health has met with important medical stakeholders and public health experts to ensure there is active monitoring against the disease.

"Therefore, we are fully engaged and prepared to manage the situation in case of any Ebola case, to ensure it is carefully managed and to prevent further spread," he said.