The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has announced enhanced surveillance measures for travellers arriving from countries experiencing active or relevant Ebola Virus Disease transmission.
The agency said such travellers may be required to complete health declaration forms as part of efforts to prevent the disease from being imported into Nigeria and spreading within the country.
The NCDC disclosed this in an interim public health advisory issued on Tuesday against the backdrop of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The advisory, signed by the agency’s Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, followed an assessment of the changing epidemiological situation and consultations with public health experts as well as the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The NCDC said, “Travellers from countries with active or relevant EVD transmission may be required to complete the Health Declaration Form as part of enhanced public health surveillance and follow-up measures.”
However, the agency clarified that travellers arriving from countries without active or relevant Ebola transmission were not required to complete the form for now.
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“Passengers from all other countries are exempt from completing the form, at this time,” the NCDC stated.
The agency also advised Nigerians and other members of the public to remain alert to symptoms associated with Ebola and seek medical care without delay if such symptoms develop.
“The general public is encouraged to remain vigilant, particularly for symptoms consistent with EVD, and to promptly seek medical attention and report relevant travel or exposure history where applicable,” it said.
According to the NCDC, Nigeria remains on high alert as preparedness measures continue in response to the evolving situation.
The agency said the measures would be reassessed periodically based on developments in the epidemiological situation and its assessment of public health risks.
It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the public through evidence-based surveillance, preparedness and response measures aimed at addressing public health threats.