The Niger State Government has heightened surveillance measures against the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), screening pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia in a bid to prevent the deadly virus from entering the state.
Medical personnel deployed to Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna carried out temperature checks and health screenings on returning pilgrims following renewed concerns over Ebola outbreaks in parts of Africa.
Speaking during the exercise, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Ibrahim Idris, disclosed that no pilgrim screened had exhibited symptoms associated with Ebola or any other febrile illness.
Dr. Idris, who represented the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Murtala Bagana, said the screening exercise forms part of proactive efforts by the state government to detect and contain infectious diseases before they spread within the state.
He noted that the government has strengthened its surveillance and preparedness systems to safeguard residents against potential public health threats.
According to him, plans are also underway to reactivate the state’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to enhance coordination and response to Ebola and other infectious disease outbreaks.
“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,” he said.
Also speaking, the Acting Airport Manager and Head of Security, Nafiu H. Na’Abba, said airport authorities had received directives to enforce strict health screening procedures for passengers arriving from Saudi Arabia.
He explained that airport personnel had been mobilised to support health officials through passenger screening, temperature monitoring, crowd control, and enforcement of public health protocols.
The intensified surveillance comes amid growing concerns over reported Ebola outbreaks in parts of Africa, particularly in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In response, health authorities across Nigeria have stepped up preparedness measures, with states hosting international airports and border entry points directed to strengthen disease surveillance and passenger screening to prevent the possible importation of Ebola into the country.
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