Ebola in Nigeria: Benin steps up surveillance in Cotonou
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on La Nouvelle Tribune
Benin stepped up health surveillance at its borders and at Cotonou airport after an Ebola case was confirmed in Abuja, Nigeria, in a traveller from Uganda. Benin’s Health Ministry says no cases have been detected in the country and that 44 contacts are being monitored in Nigeria.
Benin stepped up health screening of travellers at Cotonou’s Cardinal Bernardin Gantin International Airport on Wednesday 21 October after an Ebola case was confirmed in Nigeria. The Health Minister visited the airport to assess rapid detection measures, according to a ministry statement published on 20 October.
Thermal cameras have been installed in the arrivals hall, and isolation rooms are to receive suspected cases before their transfer. Discussions also covered adding equipment to the airport’s new terminal, which is under construction.
The ministry activated the technical committees of the One Health multisectoral platform, which coordinates human, animal and environmental health stakeholders. Working sessions bring together the relevant ministries and technical and financial partners to harmonise surveillance and the possible management of suspected cases.
The confirmed case in Abuja involves a traveller from Uganda who was infected with the Bundibugyo strain; 44 contacts are being monitored in Nigeria, according to the ministry. No cases had been reported in Benin at the date of the statement. The ministry recommends, among other measures, washing hands and avoiding contact with the bodily fluids of a sick person. The airport visit is part of Benin’s pre-alert activated after a case was reported in Nigeria.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
