The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said it is maintaining heightened vigilance across the nation’s airports following the confirmed Ebola Virus Disease case in the Federal Capital Territory.
FAAN’s Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire disclosed this in a Tuesday statement.
According to the statement, FAAN is aware of the case and working with relevant health agencies to support containment.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Federal Government announced the index case of Ebola in the country.
The patient was identified as a woman who recently arrived Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda and was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT where she was treated for several days before laboratory confirmation.
She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.
According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, 44 close contacts including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts have been identified for monitoring.
FAAN said, “The early identification of the case and commencement of contact tracing underscore the importance of established public health protocols, effective surveillance and inter-agency collaboration in responding to potential health threats.”
Agbebire disclosed that FAAN is collaborating with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Port Health Services, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other agencies.
“FAAN is maintaining heightened vigilance across airport operations and will continue to coordinate with public health authorities, align its response with further guidance and support additional measures considered necessary to safeguard passengers, airport personnel and the wider public,” he said.
He urged passengers, airport users, airlines and other stakeholders to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative with health officials and to rely on verified information.
“FAAN reassures the travelling public of its continued readiness to work with relevant agencies to protect public health and support the safe operation of Nigeria’s airports,” Agbebire added.
The confirmation is the first Ebola case in Nigeria since the 2014 outbreak which was successfully contained.