The Federal Government has ramped up monitoring and screening at all points of entry in response to the recent Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Dr. Akpan Nse, Director of Port Health Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, confirmed that additional personnel have been deployed to strengthen border surveillance efforts.
The outbreak, declared in Kasai Province, has so far reported 28 suspected cases and 16 deaths, including four health workers, as of September 5, 2025. This marks the 16th Ebola outbreak in the DRC since the virus was first identified in 1976.
Dr. Nse highlighted Nigeria’s vulnerability due to high travel volume between the two countries but reassured that strict preventive measures are in place.
“We have intensified surveillance at all entry points nationwide—airports, land borders, and seaports. Every traveler arriving from Congo undergoes thorough screening, including mandatory medical history forms,” he explained.
“All passengers on flights from Congo are screened on arrival, and this protocol also extends to those transiting through Congo en route to Nigeria. Our screening processes cover airports, seaports, and land borders alike.”
With support from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry has recruited additional staff to enhance border surveillance, ensuring the effective prevention of virus importation.
Private organizations have also collaborated with the government to maintain the functionality of thermal scanners at airports.
This latest outbreak occurs amid concurrent health challenges across Central and West Africa, including cholera, malnutrition, and displacement. Kasai Province previously experienced Ebola outbreaks in 2007 and 2008, while the DRC last contained an outbreak in Equateur Province in 2022.
The WHO has allocated $500,000 from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to assist the response efforts.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, confirmed that rapid response teams are already deployed in Kasai.
“We are actively tracing contacts, testing samples, and providing expertise in surveillance, infection control, treatment, and risk communication. WHO has also supplied personal protective equipment, laboratory and medical supplies, and a mobile laboratory,” he said.
Additionally, 2,000 prepositioned Ebola vaccine doses stored in Kinshasa are being distributed to vaccinate contacts and healthcare workers.
“This is the DRC’s 16th Ebola outbreak, and the government benefits from extensive experience managing previous crises,” Dr. Tedros added.
