The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced heightened surveillance across the country’s airports following the confirmation of an Ebola Virus Disease case in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The authority said it was working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Port Health Services, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other relevant agencies to support efforts to contain the disease.
FAAN disclosed this in a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, on Tuesday.
The agency said the detection of the infection and the commencement of contact tracing highlighted the need for effective health monitoring, established safety procedures and cooperation among government agencies. Yh yh
It added that surveillance measures would remain in place while its response continued to follow guidance from public health authorities.
“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,” the statement said.
The authority urged passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders to remain calm, observe health guidelines and cooperate with officials implementing preventive measures.
It also advised members of the public to obtain information from verified sources and avoid circulating unconfirmed reports about the outbreak.
The development followed the Federal Government’s confirmation of an Ebola case involving a woman who recently travelled to Nigeria from Uganda.
Health authorities said the npatient had developed symptoms on October 7 and sought medical attention at a private hospital on October 11 before laboratory tests confirmed the infection.
The patient was subsequently isolated for treatment, while authorities began tracing people who might have been exposed to the virus.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said 44 contacts had been identified for monitoring. Those being traced include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel-related contacts.
The case involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has also been responsible for the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Nigeria’s latest case has renewed attention on airport surveillance and the need for early identification of suspected infections among international travellers.
FAAN said it would continue working with relevant agencies to protect passengers, airport personnel and the wider public while ensuring that airport operations remain safe.