FAAN activates preventive measures over Ebola concerns at airports

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has activated preventive measures across Nigeria’s international airports following renewed concerns over the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in parts of Central Africa.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, FAAN said it had intensified health surveillance and passenger monitoring procedures in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Port Health Services and other relevant agencies to prevent any possible importation of the deadly virus into the country.

According to the statement signed by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, screening operations have been strengthened at all international terminals, particularly for passengers arriving from high-risk regions.

Agbebire said travellers are currently undergoing enhanced health checks aimed at identifying symptoms associated with Ebola, while suspected cases will immediately be isolated for further examination in line with established national and international health safety protocols.

Assuring that the authority remains fully prepared to respond swiftly to any potential health emergency within the nation’s airports, Agbebire explained that beyond passenger screening, FAAN has also upgraded emergency response procedures, intensified staff sensitisation programmes and strengthened coordination among airport stakeholders to ensure rapid containment measures if required.

The authority stressed that there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola in Nigeria, but noted that vigilance remains critical given increasing international travel and the need to protect public health infrastructure.

FAAN further urged passengers to remain calm and cooperate fully with health officials during screening exercises at airports nationwide. Travellers experiencing symptoms linked to Ebola were also advised to promptly report to health authorities for immediate medical attention.

In the same vein, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had on Tuesday directed airlines, airport operators and other aviation stakeholders to intensify public health surveillance measures following the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.