Niger Screens Returning Pilgrims and Activates Ebola Emergency Preparedness Measures

The Niger State Government has stepped up Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) surveillance, screening pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia to prevent the importation of the fatal disease into the state.

Medical personnel stationed at Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna performed temperature checks and health screenings on the returning pilgrims amid heightened concerns over Ebola outbreaks in parts of Africa.

Director of Public Health Dr Ibrahim Idris, speaking on behalf of Commissioner for Health Dr Murtala Bagana, reported that no pilgrim exhibited symptoms of Ebola or any febrile illness.

He stated that the screening was part of proactive measures aimed at detecting and preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

Idris also said the state government has bolstered surveillance and preparedness to protect residents from potential public health threats and is preparing to reactivate the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) as part of its response strategy against Ebola and other infectious diseases.

“The Ministry of Health is working closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure diseases of public health concern do not enter the state through international travel routes,” he added.

During the exercise, Acting Airport Manager and Head of Security Nafiu H. Na’Abba noted that airport authorities had received directives to enforce strict screening of passengers arriving from Saudi Arabia.

He said airport staff had been mobilised to assist health officials with passenger screening, temperature monitoring, crowd management, and enforcement of public health protocols.

The heightened surveillance follows renewed concerns over Ebola outbreaks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, prompting Nigerian authorities to strengthen preparedness and response measures nationwide.

States with international airports and border corridors have been directed to intensify passenger screening and disease surveillance to prevent the possible importation of Ebola into the country.