Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has ordered 46 people identified as contacts of Nigeria’s confirmed Ebola patient to be placed on a no-fly list for at least 21 days.
The restriction covers 44 people who came into contact with the woman at a hospital after she developed symptoms, and two members of her domestic staff, Keyamo said.
The minister announced the directive after a virtual meeting with Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate on Wednesday, October 21. He instructed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority to notify domestic and international airlines immediately.
Keyamo said efforts were ongoing to isolate the contacts while health authorities determined whether they had contracted the virus. The travel restriction is a precaution for people who may have been exposed; it does not establish that the 46 contacts are infected.
He also directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to strengthen Ebola surveillance and response measures at international airports. He listed enhanced health screening, temperature checks, travel-history tracking, digital health declarations and coordination with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention among measures already being implemented.
Health authorities confirmed the Abuja case on October 20 and began contact tracing. NaijaTrend reported the confirmation and initial response here.
Ebola’s incubation period ranges from two to 21 days, according to Premium Times and Punch.
Sources: Punch, Premium Times, Channels Television
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