Ebola: Niger screens returning pilgrims, activates emergency preparedness measures

The Niger State Government has intensified surveillance against Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, screening pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia as part of efforts to prevent the importation of the deadly disease into the state.

Medical teams deployed to Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, conducted temperature checks and health screenings on returning pilgrims amid heightened concerns over Ebola outbreaks reported in parts of Africa.

Leading the exercise, the Director of Public Health, Dr Ibrahim Idris, said no returning pilgrim had shown symptoms of Ebola or any febrile illness. 

He explained that the screening was part of proactive measures to detect and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Dr Idris, who represented the Commissioner for Health, Dr Murtala Bagana, said the state government had strengthened surveillance and preparedness measures to protect residents from potential public health threats.

He disclosed that the state was also making preparations for the reactivation of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) as part of its response strategy against Ebola and other infectious diseases.

According to him, “the Ministry of Health is working closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure diseases of public health concern do not enter the state through international travel routes”.

Speaking during the exercise, the Acting Airport Manager and Head of Security, Nafiu H. Na’Abba, said airport authorities had received directives to ensure strict screening of passengers arriving from Saudi Arabia.

He noted that airport personnel had been mobilised to support health officials in passenger screening, temperature monitoring, crowd management and enforcement of public health protocols.

The heightened surveillance follows renewed concerns over Ebola outbreaks in parts of Africa, particularly in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, prompting authorities across Nigeria to strengthen preparedness and response measures.

Against this background, states hosting international airports and border corridors have been directed to intensify passenger screening and disease surveillance as part of efforts to prevent the possible importation of Ebola into the country.