- The Federal Government has rolled out mandatory airport checks and online health declaration forms for all inbound passengers following a fresh Ebola outbreak in Uganda and the DRC.
- Special protocols have been activated at major international terminals ahead of the return of thousands of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia starting June 4, 2026.
- Health experts have issued warnings regarding the Bundibugyo virus strain behind the outbreak, noting its 30 to 50 percent fatality rate and ability to spread undetected for weeks.
The Federal Government has activated emergency surveillance and mandatory health screenings at all international airports and points of entry across Nigeria.
Eko Hot Blog reports that this proactive move follows the World Health Organisation’s declaration of a fresh Ebola outbreak in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
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Triggered by the Bundibugyo virus strain, the outbreak has prompted the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to implement a strict, mandatory digital screening portal for all inbound travelers.
According to NCAA Director of Operations, Don Spiff, all passengers flying into Nigeria must complete an Ebola health questionnaire prior to boarding.
The screening protocols have been heavily tightened to prepare for the return of thousands of Nigerian Hajj pilgrims from Saudi Arabia, scheduled to land via international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Kano starting June 4, 2026.
Special arrangements have also been enforced for Ugandan Airlines’ weekly flights into Lagos, routing them directly through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport’s Hajj terminal for enhanced clearing and isolation checks.
While no cases have been recorded at Nigerian borders, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, confirmed that all national airports are now on a state of heightened alert.
Epidemiologists and health experts are urging extreme vigilance from both healthcare workers and the public.
The NCDC Director-General, Jide Idris, warned that the country remains highly vulnerable due to global travel and the fact that initial Ebola symptoms closely mimic common diseases like malaria and Lassa fever.
Public health physician Prof. Tanimola Akande highlighted that the Bundibugyo strain currently driving the outbreak carries a severe fatality rate of 30 to 50 percent.
He emphasized the critical need for strict border surveillance, proper animal handling during hunting, and immediate isolation of suspected cases to avoid a repeat of the historical 2014 epidemic.
Internationally, the United States has committed $112 million to support containment efforts in East Africa, alongside synchronized security measures with Canada and Mexico ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
