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FAAN Tightens Surveillance Across Nigerian Airports After Abuja Case
FAAN Tightens Surveillance Across Nigerian Airports After Abuja Case
FAAN heightens vigilance across Nigerian airports following confirmation of an Ebola Virus Disease case in Abuja.
Authority coordinates with NCDC, Port Health Services and NCAA to support containment and contact-tracing efforts.
Passengers, airlines and airport workers urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with health officials as surveillance intensifies.
Alert follows confirmation of an imported case involving a traveller from Uganda, 12 years after Nigeria contained its 2014 Ebola outbreak.
October 21, () – The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has tightened surveillance across Nigerian airports following the confirmation of an Ebola Virus Disease case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
FAAN in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, said it was maintaining heightened vigilance across airport operations and working with health and aviation agencies to support ongoing efforts to contain the disease.
The Authority said it was coordinating with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Port Health Services, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other relevant agencies.
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“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is aware of the confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and is working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Port Health Services, NCAA and other relevant agencies to support ongoing containment efforts”, the statement said.
FAAN said the identification of the case and commencement of contact tracing underscored the importance of established public health protocols, surveillance and inter-agency cooperation.
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It said vigilance would remain heightened across airport operations while it continued to follow guidance from public health authorities.
“FAAN is maintaining heightened vigilance across airport operations and will continue to coordinate with public health authorities, align its response with further guidance and support additional measures considered necessary to safeguard passengers, airport personnel and the wider public”, it said.
The Authority urged passengers, airport users, airlines and other stakeholders to remain calm and vigilant and cooperate with health officials.
It also advised members of the public to rely on verified information and avoid circulating unconfirmed reports.
FAAN reassured travellers of its readiness to work with relevant agencies to protect public health and ensure the safe operation of the country’s airports.
Abuja Case, 44 Contacts Identified
FAAN’s announcement followed the Federal Government’s confirmation of an Ebola case in Abuja involving a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the woman was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed. She has since been isolated and is receiving medical care.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, NCDC and FCT Health Services Secretariat are working with other relevant authorities to contain the infection and prevent further transmission.
Public health teams have identified 44 close contacts and commenced tracing and monitoring them.
Authorities are also working to identify other persons who may have been exposed, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts.
The government has urged potentially exposed airline passengers who may be contacted by public health teams to provide the required information and comply with official guidance.
Surveillance has also been intensified, while the private hospital where the patient was treated is receiving support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
While public and private healthcare facilities across the country have been directed to remain on high alert, healthcare workers have been asked to maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention and control protocols and immediately report suspected infections to public health authorities.
Nigerians Urged To Remain Vigilant
Pate urged Nigerians to remain calm and observe preventive measures, including regular handwashing and avoiding contact with the blood or other body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola.
Symptoms include fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly among people who may have been exposed to an infected person.
“Anyone who develops symptoms should avoid close contact with others and call public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility”, the government advised.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of infected people, as well as contaminated objects and surfaces.
People infected with the virus do not transmit it before developing symptoms. The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days.
FAAN said it would continue working with NCDC, Port Health Services, NCAA and other relevant authorities as containment efforts continue.
“FAAN reassures the travelling public of its continued readiness to work with relevant agencies to protect public health and support the safe operation of Nigeria’s airports”, the Authority said.
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