Nigeria’s disease-control agency has placed the country on high alert after issuing a fresh Ebola advisory tied to the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said travellers from countries with active or relevant Ebola transmission may be required to complete health declaration forms as part of enhanced surveillance. Passengers from other countries are exempt for now.
The advisory, signed by NCDC Director-General Jide Idris, followed a risk assessment and consultations with public health experts and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The agency said preparedness activities are ongoing and will be reviewed as the outbreak situation changes.
The NCDC urged Nigerians to watch for symptoms consistent with Ebola and seek medical help quickly where there is relevant travel or exposure history. It said the health declaration measure is meant to support follow-up checks for travellers from affected countries.
Channels Television reported that the DRC had, by September 20, recorded 7,672 confirmed Ebola cases and 3,699 related deaths, with new cases reported in Ituri, North Kivu, Haut-Uélé and Tshopo. Punch also reported the NCDC’s position that Nigeria remains on high alert while screening and surveillance measures are strengthened.
The agency said the current measures would remain tied to public health risk assessments, meaning the rules may change if the outbreak expands or eases.
Sources: Channels Television, Punch
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