Nigerian airports step up Ebola surveillance
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Businessday
After confirming an imported Ebola case in a traveller arriving from Uganda, Nigeria’s federal airport authority has stepped up surveillance and is co-ordinating its response with health and aviation services. The heightened vigilance could affect business travel, conferences and visitor arrivals, according to BusinessDay.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has stepped up surveillance at facilities across the country after an imported case of Ebola was confirmed. It is co-ordinating its response with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), port health services and civil aviation authorities, BusinessDay reports.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Health confirmed on 20 October that a woman who had recently arrived from Uganda had tested positive for the Ebola virus. The patient, described as a diplomat travelling on duty, is in isolation and receiving treatment in the Federal Capital Territory. Authorities have identified 44 people who had contact with her for monitoring.
Raheem Adejare, a health and workplace safety specialist quoted by BusinessDay, said additional checks or changes to travel advice could complicate business travel and delay appointments. Companies might also review their health guidance and travel authorisation procedures.
Nigeria has already announced the monitoring of 44 contacts of the patient and contact tracing and isolation after the imported case as part of its response to the infection.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
