FG Heightens Border Surveillance Following Recent Ebola Outbreak

The Nigerian government has heightened screening and monitoring procedures at all entry points in response to the recent outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)... Read Full Article.. .

In an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH, the Director of Port Health Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Akpan Nse, confirmed the intensified efforts.

He stated that additional staff have been hired to strengthen border surveillance nationwide.

The outbreak was declared by DRC health authorities in Kasai Province, where 28 suspected cases and 16 deaths, including four health workers, have been reported as of September 5, 2025.

The strain of the virus has been confirmed as Ebola Zaire.

Dr. Nse acknowledged the risk to Nigeria due to high levels of international travel with the DRC.

He explained, “We have intensified surveillance at all points of entry across the country airports, land borders, and seaports. Every inbound traveler coming from Congo to Nigeria is thoroughly screened, and we collect their medical history through mandatory forms.”

He added that all passengers from the DRC, including those transiting through the country, are being screened upon arrival.

With support from the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria has recruited more personnel to ensure thorough screening at all borders.

Additionally, private organizations are partnering with the government to ensure that thermal scanners at airports are fully operational.

The current outbreak in the DRC comes at a time when much of Central and West Africa is dealing with multiple health and humanitarian crises.

The DRC has experienced 15 Ebola outbreaks since the disease was first identified in 1976, with the most recent one being in April 2022.

In response to the current outbreak, the WHO has released $500,000 from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support the response. The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, noted that WHO staff are already on the ground in Kasai, with more personnel on their way.

“We’re joining rapid response teams to trace contacts and find cases; we’re collecting and testing samples, and we’re providing technical expertise in surveillance, infection prevention and control, treatment, risk communication, and more.

WHO has also delivered personal protective equipment, laboratory equipment, medical supplies, and a mobile laboratory.

“We had previously prepositioned 2000 doses of Ebola vaccine in Kinshasa, which we are releasing to vaccinate contacts and health workers. This is the 16th outbreak of Ebola in the DRC, and the government has rich experience from those previous outbreaks,” the WHO,and..  Read . .More —