FAAN Heightens Airport Surveillance Nationwide After Confirmed Ebola Case in Abuja

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has stepped up surveillance across all airports in the country following the confirmation of an Ebola Virus Disease case in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

FAAN said it was working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Port Health Services, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other relevant agencies to support containment efforts.

In a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, the authority said it was maintaining heightened vigilance across airport operations.

“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,” Agbebire said.

The authority urged passengers, airline operators, airport workers and other users to remain vigilant, follow health screening guidelines and rely on verified information from official health agencies. It also advised the public to avoid spreading unconfirmed reports about the outbreak.

The alert followed the Federal Government’s confirmation on Tuesday of Nigeria’s first Ebola case in the current outbreak.

The patient, a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, is receiving treatment in isolation at a private hospital in Abuja.

Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate said authorities had identified 44 close contacts for monitoring and had begun contact tracing.

“She is in isolation, and she is receiving quality medical care. Contact tracing has been conducted, and it’s under way as we speak, with 44 contacts already identified,” Pate said.

FAAN said the early identification of the case and the commencement of contact tracing underscored the importance of established public health protocols, effective surveillance and cooperation among agencies.

The authority reassured travellers that it remained ready to work with relevant agencies to protect public health and ensure the safe operation of Nigeria’s airports.