Ebola Outbreak in DRC: Nigerian Government Steps Up Border Surveillance

In response to a fresh outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Federal Government of Nigeria has intensified health surveillance and screening at all entry points into the country.

The Director of Port Health Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Akpan Nse, confirmed this development in an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH on Friday, stating that additional health personnel have been deployed to reinforce monitoring at airports, land borders, and seaports.

This action follows the declaration of an Ebola outbreak in Kasai Province, DRC, where 28 suspected cases and 16 deaths including four health workers have been reported as of September 5, 2025.

“The risk of importing the virus into Nigeria is significant due to frequent international travel,” Dr. Nse said. “We’ve strengthened screening across all points of entry. All inbound passengers from the DRC, or those who transited through it, are subject to mandatory screening and health history checks.”

Dr. Nse added that with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), additional staff have been recruited to ensure comprehensive surveillance, and thermal scanners at airports are being maintained in partnership with private organizations.

“Our portals are active, and all passengers from Congo are screened, whether by air, land, or sea,” he said.

WHO Response and Global Outlook

The WHO has released $500,000 from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support the DRC’s response efforts. Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed this at a global health briefing on Friday.

“We have teams on the ground in Kasai and are deploying more,” he said. “We’re tracing contacts, testing samples, and have provided personal protective equipment, lab kits, medical supplies, and a mobile lab. Additionally, 2,000 doses of the Ebola vaccine prepositioned in Kinshasa are now being released for use.”

This marks the DRC’s 16th Ebola outbreak since the virus was first discovered there in 1976. Kasai Province has previously recorded outbreaks in 2007 and 2008.

Experts Urge National Preparedness

Health experts in Nigeria have advised vigilance and proactive response to avoid the importation and spread of the virus.

Dr. Oladipo Kolawole, Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases at Adeleke University, emphasized coordination among health agencies.

“Nigeria has the expertise to handle this. But ministries and agencies must work together to ensure we stay ahead,” he said.

Dr. Moses Adewumi, a virologist at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, underscored the importance of tightening travel protocols and entry screenings.

“Early detection is key. Surveillance at airports and land borders must be strictly enforced to prevent community spread.”

Dr. Iorhen Akase, Head of the Infectious Diseases Unit at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, stressed that while transmission risk is highest when individuals show symptoms, public awareness is equally crucial.

“Government scanners at borders are useful, but communities must also stay alert. Anyone who is ill should go to the hospital immediately,” he advised.

He added that border monitoring, laboratory capacity, and rapid response coordination are critical to Nigeria’s ability to prevent an outbreak.

What You Need to Know About Ebola

Ebola Virus Disease is a rare but often fatal illness in humans. It is transmitted through close contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or animals, including fruit bats, which are believed to be the natural hosts. The current outbreak has been identified as the Zaire strain, one of the most lethal.

As Central and West Africa continue to grapple with multiple health crises including cholera and malnutrition health officials across the region are urging preparedness, regional collaboration, and swift public health responses.