Nigerians were reassured by the FG on Wednesday that there are presently no confirmed cases of the Ebola virus in the nation and that steps have been taken to improve the country's response and readiness mechanisms.
In response to new concerns about the Ebola virus outbreak, FAAN has reassured travelers and stakeholders that stringent preventive measures have been implemented across international airports.
The guarantee came after reports of Ebola outbreaks in portions of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Prof. Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, stated that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare was closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the WHO and regional health authorities through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Port Health Services, and other pertinent agencies.
In a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, Pate stated that Nigeria had strengthened surveillance, early detection, and quick response methods to safeguard public health.
"The Federal Government is taking all necessary proactive measures to strengthen national preparedness, surveillance, and coordination mechanisms to protect the health and well-being of all Nigerians, even though there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria," he stated.
Increased coordination with state ministries of health, strengthened screening and health declaration procedures at points of entry, greater laboratory readiness and diagnostic capability, and nationwide surveillance and monitoring were among the ongoing response actions he stated.
Along with increased public awareness and community involvement initiatives, the minister said that infection prevention and control procedures had also been strengthened throughout healthcare facilities.
He advised Nigerians to maintain their composure, refrain from disseminating false information, and continue with preventive practices, including frequent hand washing and avoiding contact with bodily fluids from people exhibiting symptoms of illness.
Additionally, Pate urged the people to notify the closest medical facility right away of any unexpected ailment.
He claims that healthcare professionals nationwide have been instructed to keep a high index of suspicion, closely follow infection prevention and control procedures, quickly isolate suspicious cases, and report through recognized public health channels.
Through coordinated preparation and quick response, the minister reaffirmed the Federal Government's commitment to preserving national health security and protecting public health.
Additionally, FAAN stated that in order to stop any potential importation of the fatal virus into Nigeria, it has stepped up passenger surveillance, health screening, and emergency response protocols in cooperation with pertinent health organizations.
In a statement released on Wednesday, FAAN's Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, stated that the organization was closely collaborating with the NCDC, Port Health Services, and other relevant parties to improve airport surveillance.
The statement claims that because authorities are on high alert, travelers arriving from nations deemed high-risk are currently going through more stringent screening processes.
Travelers are being tested for Ebola symptoms, according to the government, and any suspected cases will be promptly isolated for additional testing in accordance with both national and international health safety guidelines.
According to Agbebire, the actions were taken as part of an attempt to convince Nigerians and visitors from other countries that the nation's airports were secure in spite of the health issues arising from the Central African region.
"FAAN wishes to reassure the traveling public and stakeholders that robust preventive measures have been put in place across all international airports in response to the recent Ebola Virus Disease situation in parts of Central Africa," the statement stated.
"In accordance with established national and international health protocols, passengers are being screened for symptoms associated with Ebola, and any suspected case will be promptly isolated and subjected to secondary health checks."
Additionally, FAAN advised travelers to maintain composure, assist medical personnel during screening processes, and report any symptoms or unusual health concerns as soon as possible.
"FAAN remains vigilant and fully committed to safeguarding public health and maintaining safe airport operations, even though there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola in Nigeria," Agbebire said.
The World Health Organization said that there were 600 suspected cases of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, with 139 suspected deaths, prompting increased surveillance.
Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus told media during the WHO Emergency Committee meeting in Geneva, Switzerland on Wednesday that the virus was still a public health emergency of global concern but not a pandemic emergency.
According to Tedros, "the WHO assesses the risk of the epidemic as low at the global level and high at the national and regional levels."
An estimated 131 deaths from 513 suspected cases were previously reported by DRC officials.
Only five months have passed since the DRC declared the end of its last pandemic.
At the same press conference, WHO emergencies chief Chikwe Ihekweazu stated that the organization's "absolute priority now is to identify all the existing chains of transmission."
"We will then be able to provide care and truly define the scope of the outbreak."
Tedros initially announced the emergency on Sunday, claiming that because of the urgency of the situation, he did so without seeking advice from other specialists.
According to health authorities, the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus—for which there is currently no vaccine or treatment—is what is causing the outbreak.
The WHO said that 51 of the 600 suspected cases had been verified in the northern DRC regions of North Kivu and Ituri.
Additionally, Uganda has reported two cases—including one fatality—in Kampala involving travelers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Uganda.
Additionally, a medical missionary is being sent to Germany for treatment after contracting Ebola in the DRC.
According to WHO scientists, the first suspected fatality was reported on April 20, and they believe the outbreak started a few months earlier.
Although investigations are still underway, officials stated that a possible super-spreader event is thought to have occurred at either a funeral or a medical facility following the initial fatality.
Meanwhile, Eva Hrncirova, a spokesman for the European Union, stated on Wednesday that there is a "very low" chance of an epidemic in Europe.
"We know that diseases do not stop at borders, and this is also the case of Ebola," Hrncirova continued.
