The Federal Government has stepped up health checks at Nigeria’s entry points following the confirmation of a new Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Director of Port Health Services, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Akpan Nse, said that enhanced screening and monitoring systems are now in place across airports, seaports, and land borders.
According to him, additional staff have been deployed to strengthen border surveillance amid fears of importation. “We have intensified surveillance at all points of entry across the country—airports, land borders, and seaports. Every inbound traveller coming from Congo to Nigeria is thoroughly screened, and we collect their medical history through mandatory forms,” he said.
Nse explained that “every passenger on every flight coming to Nigeria from Congo is screened upon arrival. This applies to airports, seaports, and land borders. Even if passengers transit through Congo on their way to Nigeria, they must undergo screening. In addition, with support from WHO, we have recruited more staff to enhance surveillance. Increasing the workforce allows us to effectively prevent the importation of the virus and ensure thorough screening at all borders.”
He also revealed that private partners are helping government maintain thermal scanners at airports to ensure they remain fully functional.
DRC Congo declares Ebola outbreak
Health authorities in DRC had declared the outbreak in Kasai Province after 28 suspected cases and 16 deaths—including four health workers—were reported as of September 5, 2025. Tests conducted at the National Institute of Biomedical Research confirmed the presence of the Zaire strain of the virus.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), in response, has released $500,000 from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support containment efforts. Its Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, confirmed that WHO staff are already on the ground and more will join in the coming days.
“We’re joining rapid response teams to trace contacts and find cases; we’re collecting and testing samples, and we’re providing technical expertise in surveillance, infection prevention and control, treatment, risk communication, and more,” Ghebreyesus said. He added that the organisation has delivered protective gear, laboratory supplies, a mobile laboratory, and has begun releasing 2,000 pre-positioned Ebola vaccine doses to protect health workers and contacts.
This marks the 16th recorded Ebola outbreak in the DRC since the disease was first discovered in 1976, with Kasai previously affected in 2007 and 2008.
