Nigeria Tightens Border Screening After Ebola Outbreak in DRC
The Federal Government of Nigeria has stepped up surveillance and passenger screening at all entry points following the recent outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Director of Port Health Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Akpan Nse, confirmed this in an interview with PUNCH.
Nse noted that Nigeria faced a “risk of importing the virus due to high levels of international travel with the DRC,” but assured that “Port Health Services was on alert and had strengthened surveillance to prevent this.”
He explained that all passengers from Congo, including those transiting through the country before arriving in Nigeria, would now undergo mandatory checks.
“We have intensified surveillance at all points of entry across the country—airports, land borders, and seaports. Every inbound traveller coming from Congo to Nigeria is thoroughly screened, and we collect their medical history through mandatory forms,” he said.
“We have also reactivated our portals. Every passenger on every flight coming to Nigeria from Congo is screened upon arrival. This applies to airports, seaports, and land borders. Even if passengers transit through Congo on their way to Nigeria, they must undergo screening.”
He added that more officers had been deployed nationwide. “In addition, with support from WHO, we have recruited more staff to enhance surveillance. Increasing the workforce allows us to effectively prevent the importation of the virus and ensure thorough screening at all borders.”
The move comes after the DRC declared a fresh Ebola outbreak in Kasai Province, with at least 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths—including four health workers—recorded as of September 4, 2025.
In a statement on Thursday, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that the outbreak has struck Bulape and Mweka health zones, with patients presenting “symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and haemorrhage.”
Laboratory samples tested on September 3 at the country’s National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa confirmed the cause as Ebola Zaire, the most lethal strain of the virus.
