ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority has directed airlines and airport operators to strengthen health surveillance following a new Ebola outbreak in East and Central Africa, raising concerns about cross-border transmission through air travel.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority said all airlines, airport operators and aviation stakeholders must enforce strict public health protocols at international airports. The order follows the World Health Organization’s declaration of the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Pilots are now required to notify Air Traffic Control of suspected communicable disease cases onboard. Flight crews must complete Aircraft General Declaration forms for suspected cases, while passenger locator forms are to be submitted to Port Health Services upon arrival. Border health screening, contact tracing and case reporting mechanisms are also being reinforced.
The outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a rare species that causes severe viral hemorrhagic fever. Unlike the more common Zaire strain, there is no licensed vaccine specifically approved for Bundibugyo. Treatment remains supportive, focusing on hydration and symptom management. Symptoms include sudden fever, severe fatigue, headache, vomiting, abdominal pain and bleeding such as nosebleeds or vomiting blood.
The World Health Organization has reported hundreds of suspected cases and dozens of deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Uganda confirmed an imported case earlier this month, raising fears of wider regional spread.
Air travel is a major vector for infectious disease. Nigeria, Africa’s largest aviation hub, connects West Africa to Europe, the Middle East and North America. The directive is aimed at preventing international transmission. The outbreak recalls the 2014 West Africa Ebola crisis, which killed more than 11,000 people and disrupted global travel and trade.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control are coordinating with the NCAA to monitor developments. The World Health Organization and regional health agencies are working to strengthen surveillance and response efforts. Public health experts warn that while Nigeria has not recorded any cases, vigilance is essential given the country’s busy airports. Travelers may face stricter screening, longer wait times and mandatory health forms at Nigerian airports.
Ebola virus disease is a severe illness caused by infection with one of several Ebola virus species. It spreads through direct contact with blood, secretions or other bodily fluids of infected people, or contaminated surfaces. It is not airborne. Symptoms typically appear two to 21 days after exposure. There is no universal cure, though vaccines exist for some strains. Past outbreaks, including the 2014 to 2016 West Africa epidemic and the 2018 to 2020 Democratic Republic of Congo outbreak, showed how quickly the virus can overwhelm health systems and cross borders.
The NCAA’s directive underscores the aviation sector’s frontline role in global health security. While Nigeria has not yet reported Ebola cases linked to this outbreak, the measures aim to prevent a repeat of past crises. Experts say the situation will test regional preparedness and highlight the importance of international cooperation in containing deadly diseases.
