Nigeria’s medical scientists have raised fresh concerns over the possibility of Ebola spreading into the country following renewed outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, warning that urgent preventive measures are needed to avert a potential public health crisis.
The Academy of Medical Sciences, Nigeria, on Monday urged the Federal Government to immediately strengthen border surveillance, activate emergency preparedness systems and place health institutions nationwide on high alert.
In a public health advisory issued to the government, the Federal Ministry of Health, hospitals, port health authorities and Nigerians, the Academy warned that increased regional travel, trade and migration have heightened the risk of cross-border transmission.
“The recent outbreaks in DRC and Uganda present a credible risk of cross-border transmission into Nigeria due to regional mobility, trade and travel,” the advisory stated.
The warning was jointly signed by the Chairman of the Academy’s Rapid Response Committee, Prof. Obinna Onwujekwe, and the Academy President, Emeritus Prof. Osato Giwa-Osagie.
The experts cautioned against complacency, despite Nigeria’s globally recognised success in containing the Ebola outbreak in 2014.
“The recurrence of outbreaks within the African continent underscores the continued vulnerability of all nations to transboundary infectious diseases,” the scientists warned.
According to the Academy, Ebola remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, capable of causing severe health, economic and social devastation if not swiftly contained.
The medical experts called for immediate deployment of rapid screening systems at Nigeria’s airports, seaports and land borders, particularly for travellers arriving from outbreak-prone countries.
They recommended dedicated screening lanes, digital travel surveillance systems, temperature checks, exposure-history assessments and emergency isolation facilities at all points of entry.
“Enhance monitoring at international airports, seaports and land borders, particularly for travellers arriving from affected regions,” the advisory stated.
The scientists also urged the immediate activation of the National Ebola Incident Management System involving the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Port Health Services and state governments.
According to them, all states must urgently reactivate infectious disease emergency structures, isolation centres, referral mechanisms and rapid response teams to prevent a repeat of previous deadly outbreaks witnessed across Africa.
The Academy further warned that healthcare workers remain among the most vulnerable during Ebola outbreaks and called on hospitals to establish Ebola-ready treatment zones with strict infection prevention protocols.
“Provide adequate personal protective equipment, infection prevention training and emergency protocols for frontline healthcare personnel,” the experts advised.
The renewed alert comes amid growing fears over the spread of infectious diseases across Africa and increasing concerns about the preparedness of health systems to respond to future epidemics.
