NCDC To Screen Travellers From Ebola-Hit Countries

NCDC To Screen Travellers From Ebola-Hit Countries (News Central TV) NCDC To Screen Travellers From Ebola-Hit Countries (News Central TV)
A staff member checks a visitor's temperature before allowing her access to the hospital in Goma, DRC, on Sunday.Jospin Mwisha / AFP via Getty Images

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said passengers arriving from countries experiencing an Ebola outbreak or with recorded cases may be required to complete Health Declaration Forms as part of enhanced surveillance measures.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the agency said the advisory is necessary due to the evolving epidemiological situation surrounding the ongoing Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The NCDC said Nigeria reviewed its public health measures following the outbreak in the DRC, based on a dynamic risk assessment and consultations with relevant stakeholders.

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Under the new guidelines, passengers arriving from countries with active or relevant EVD transmission may be required to complete Health Declaration Forms to support surveillance, risk assessment, contact follow-up and early detection of cases.

Travellers arriving from countries with no recorded Ebola cases are exempt from completing the form, reflecting the agency’s risk-based approach to strengthening border health measures in response to changing epidemiological conditions.

According to the NCDC, the measures followed consultations with public health experts and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to ensure Nigeria’s preparedness and response remain proportionate to identified risks.

NCDC To Screen Travellers From Ebola-Hit Countries (News Central TV)
NCDC press statement. Credit: NCDC/X.

The agency urged the public, particularly travellers who may have been exposed to the virus, to remain vigilant for symptoms associated with Ebola Virus Disease and seek medical attention if symptoms develop.

It also advised individuals with relevant travel or exposure histories to provide healthcare workers and authorities with accurate information, noting that timely reporting and follow-up are essential to effective surveillance and response.

The NCDC said preparatory activities were ongoing in response to the evolving epidemiological situation, adding that it would review the measures as additional epidemiological information becomes available and Nigeria’s risk assessment is updated.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigerians through evidence-based surveillance, preparedness and response measures, while working with national and international partners to strengthen the country’s capacity to detect and respond to health threats.

The measures are being implemented through collaboration among the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Port Health Services, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The agency added that state ministries of health were also involved in the coordinated response, while international partners, including the World Health Organisation and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, continue to support preparedness and response efforts.

Author

  • Olayide Oluwafunmilayo Soaga is a Nigerian journalist with four years of professional experience. She reports on health, gender, education and development, with a focus on impact-driven storytelling.

    She was runner-up for the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) Best Solutions Journalism Award in West Africa in 2024 and a finalist for the 2025 West Africa Media Excellence Awards.

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