Nigeria Introduces Border Screening, Temperature Checks for Arriving Travellers as Ebola Threat Looms

By Emmanuel Kwada

The Federal Government has intensified health surveillance measures at Nigeria’s borders and international entry points, introducing mandatory temperature checks and enhanced screening procedures for arriving travellers amid growing concerns over a potential Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa.

The move, announced by health authorities on Tuesday, is aimed at preventing the importation and spread of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) into the country. Officials said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), in collaboration with port health services and other relevant agencies, has activated emergency preparedness protocols at airports, seaports, and land borders nationwide.

Under the new measures, travellers arriving from countries identified as high-risk will undergo temperature screening and health assessments.

Authorities have also heightened monitoring of passengers displaying symptoms associated with Ebola, including fever, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea, and unexplained bleeding.

Health officials urged Nigerians to remain calm, noting that no confirmed case of Ebola has been recorded in the country. However, they stressed the importance of vigilance, early reporting of suspected symptoms, and adherence to public health guidelines.

The government said rapid response teams have been placed on alert, while isolation facilities and diagnostic laboratories are being strengthened to ensure swift detection and containment should a case emerge.

Nigeria earned international recognition for successfully containing an Ebola outbreak in 2014 after a Liberian-American traveller introduced the virus into the country. Public health experts say the experience has equipped the nation with valuable lessons for responding to future threats.

Authorities have advised travellers to maintain good hygiene practices, avoid contact with individuals showing symptoms of infectious diseases, and cooperate fully with health officials at points of entry.

The Federal Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health and called on citizens to rely on verified information from official sources as efforts continue to monitor the evolving situation.