Ebola Alert: FAAN Activates Surveillance Across Airports
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has moved to reassure travellers and aviation stakeholders that comprehensive preventive measures are now active across all international airports in the country, following a recent Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in parts of Central Africa.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, FAAN said it is working in close collaboration with Port Health Services, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, and other relevant agencies to intensify surveillance and monitoring of passengers, particularly those arriving from high-risk regions.
“Passengers are being screened for symptoms associated with Ebola, and any suspected case will be promptly isolated and subjected to secondary health checks in line with established national and international health protocols,” the authority stated.
FAAN also disclosed that it has strengthened coordination with relevant stakeholders, enhanced staff sensitisation, and reinforced emergency response procedures to ensure swift action where necessary.
“While there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola in Nigeria, FAAN remains vigilant and fully committed to safeguarding public health and maintaining safe airport operations,” the statement added.
The announcement comes days after the World Health Organization declared the Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17, 2026. The outbreak, centred in DRC’s Ituri Province and reported to have spread into Uganda, has raised significant regional concern over the number of recorded cases and deaths.
The Bundibugyo strain is one of six known species of the Ebola virus. Previous outbreaks of the disease have resulted in fatality rates of between 25 and 90 percent, according to WHO records, making early detection and border surveillance critical to containment.
Nigeria has a documented history with Ebola. In 2014, the country successfully contained an outbreak that entered through Lagos via an infected Liberian diplomat, a response that drew international commendation for its speed and coordination.
FAAN urged passengers to remain calm, cooperate fully with health screening procedures at arrival points, and report any symptoms promptly to health officials on ground.