NCAA Orders Heightened Airport Health Checks Over Ebola Outbreak Concerns

Ebola screening at the airport

By Admin,

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed all airlines operating in the country to intensify health surveillance and screening procedures across international airports following renewed Ebola outbreak concerns in parts of Africa.

The directive comes after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the recent Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

‎According to the NCAA, the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a rare variant for which there is currently no widely approved vaccine or targeted treatment.

‎In a regulatory circular issued to airlines and other aviation stakeholders, the authority said the move is aimed at preventing possible cross-border transmission through air travel, especially given the high level of regional movement within Africa.

‎“Enhanced surveillance and strict compliance with public health protocols are critical to preventing the spread of communicable diseases through air transport operations,” the NCAA stated.

The agency noted that although Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed case linked to the current outbreak, precautionary measures have become necessary due to the aviation sector’s role in disease surveillance and international mobility.

‎“While no Ebola case associated with the present outbreak has been confirmed in Nigeria, all operators are required to activate heightened alert systems and ensure full compliance with existing health protection procedures,” the authority said.

The NCAA said it is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Port Health Services and international health organisations to closely monitor developments surrounding the outbreak.

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It disclosed that health officials in the DRC recently detected a cluster of severe illnesses among healthcare workers in the Bunia Health Zone, raising fresh concerns over regional transmission.

‎The authority identified common symptoms of Ebola Virus Disease to include sudden fever, weakness, severe headache, vomiting, abdominal pain and unexplained bleeding.

“Early detection, prompt reporting and coordinated response measures remain essential to preventing international spread of the disease,” the NCAA added.

As part of the new measures, airport disease surveillance systems have been strengthened, while contact tracing and case reporting procedures are also being reinforced at points of entry.

The authority further instructed pilots to immediately notify Air Traffic Control of any suspected communicable disease cases onboard aircraft in accordance with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs).

“Flight crew members are required to complete Aircraft General Declaration forms for all suspected cases, while airlines must ensure passenger locator forms are submitted to Port Health Services upon arrival,” the circular stated.

In addition, operators have been mandated to equip aircraft with adequate first-aid supplies, emergency medical kits and universal precaution kits.

The NCAA also urged airlines to strengthen crew training on the identification, management and reporting of infectious diseases while maintaining strict infection prevention and control procedures.

“All aviation stakeholders are advised to remain vigilant and strictly adhere to established public health guidelines in order to safeguard passengers, crew members and the general public,” the authority said.