The federal government has intensified national preparedness and response measures against the possible introduction of the Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease, currently reported in parts of East and Central Africa.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday. According to the statement, the move is aimed at safeguarding Nigeria from cross-border disease transmission and strengthening the country’s overall health security architecture against emerging threats.
The government reassured Nigerians that there was no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in the country at the moment.
“However, in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening national health security and preventing cross-border disease transmission, heightened preparedness measures have been activated nationwide.
“As part of ongoing response readiness efforts, official preparedness protocols, advisories, and technical guidance documents have been uploaded to the Ministry’s website to support public awareness, stakeholder sensitisation, and institutional compliance,” the government said.
According to the statement, strict border controls and point-of-entry protocols are already in place nationwide to strengthen surveillance and early detection of suspected cases.
It said the measures included universal temperature screening using infrared thermal scanners and handheld thermometers, mandatory health declaration forms and travel history assessments for arriving passengers.
The government added that enhanced traveller risk assessments, secondary screening, isolation and referral mechanisms for symptomatic individuals, and strengthened coordination with border management agencies had also been activated.
Surveillance activities had been intensified through the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response system, alongside strengthened community-based and event-based monitoring mechanisms nationwide, it stated.
(NAN)
