Fresh Ebola Outbreak: Nigerian Government Intensifies Screening of Passengers from Congo

When news broke that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had declared a fresh outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Kasai Province, many Africans felt a shiver of déjà vu. The word Ebola still evokes fear across the continent, particularly in West Africa where memories of the 2014–2016 epidemic — which killed over 11,000 people — remain raw.

Now, with at least 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers, recorded as of September 4, 2025, the disease threatens once again to breach borders.

In Nigeria, the government is not taking chances. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, through its Port Health Services, has moved quickly to intensify screening of passengers arriving from the DRC.

Dr. Akpan Nse, Director of Port Health Services, confirmed in an interview that every passenger arriving directly from Congo — or even transiting through Congolese territory — would undergo mandatory health checks at airports, seaports, and land borders.

Dr. Nse’s words were clear and deliberate:

“Nigeria faces a risk of importing the virus due to high levels of international travel with the DRC. But Port Health Services is on alert and has strengthened surveillance to prevent this.”

Expanded Surveillance Measures

1. Airport Screening
   Every inbound passenger from Congo is now subjected to temperature checks, medical history forms, and symptom assessments upon arrival.
2. Seaport Checks
   Cargo and passengers arriving on vessels that docked in or near Congo are also screened for fever and travel exposure history.
3. Land Border Monitoring
   Border posts with Cameroon, Niger, and Chad — through which many West and Central African travelers move — now feature extra medical teams, with WHO support.
4. Data Collection
   Mandatory forms record contact details and recent travel histories, enabling rapid tracing if any passenger later shows symptoms.

Dr. Nse added that new recruits, trained with WHO support, had been deployed nationwide to close manpower gaps.

The Situation in Congo: Kasai Province Under Siege

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the outbreak has struck Bulape and Mweka health zones in Kasai Province.

Symptoms Reported

• Persistent fever
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Severe bleeding (haemorrhage) in some patients

Lab results from the National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa confirmed the culprit: Ebola Zaire, the deadliest known strain.

The DRC government has mobilized emergency response teams and international aid partners. But local conditions — poor infrastructure, remote villages, and strained hospitals — make containment difficult.

Nigeria’s History With Ebola: The Ghost of 2014

Nigeria has faced Ebola before — and won.

In July 2014, a Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer, landed in Lagos carrying the virus. Within days, hospital workers treating him became infected. Panic spread across the city of over 20 million people.

Yet, Nigeria’s swift response — isolation units, contact tracing, border checks, and public awareness campaigns — helped contain the outbreak to just 20 cases and 8 deaths.

The WHO later praised Nigeria as a model for epidemic control, proving that even countries with fragile health systems could stop Ebola with decisive action.

That experience has shaped Nigeria’s current preparedness: officials know that speed, vigilance, and communication are the keys to preventing catastrophe.

Why Nigeria Cannot Afford Complacency

Nigeria’s risk level is high, for several reasons:

1. Air Travel Links
   Daily flights connect Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt with Central and East African hubs — including routes that pass through Kinshasa.
2. Regional Trade
   Informal land border crossings make it possible for travellers from the DRC or neighbouring states to enter without proper checks.
3. Weak Hospitals
   Many Nigerian hospitals still lack protective gear, rapid test kits, or isolation wards, raising fears of hospital-acquired spread.
4. Population Density
   Lagos, Kano, and Onitsha have crowded urban environments where a single imported case could spark clusters.

Health Workers: The Frontline at Risk

Already, four Congolese health workers have died treating patients. This highlights the immense danger facing medical staff — the first line of defense.

In Nigeria, doctors and nurses recall the trauma of 2014, when several colleagues died after contracting Ebola from patients. Many now insist on:

• Adequate protective equipment (PPE)
• Risk allowances for frontline workers
• Training refresher courses on isolation and infection control

Without these guarantees, Nigeria risks losing both morale and manpower if an imported case emerges.

Public Anxiety and Rumours

As soon as news of the Congo outbreak spread, Nigerians began circulating rumours and conspiracy theories on WhatsApp, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter).

Some claim Ebola is “back already in Lagos” — false information that could trigger panic. Others suggest “politicians are exaggerating it for donor funds.”

Health experts warn that misinformation spreads faster than viruses, and could undermine official efforts. Transparent communication will be critical to reassure the public and prevent hysteria.

The Global Context: Why the World Is Watching

Ebola is not just an African problem. In past outbreaks, infected travelers have carried the virus to Europe and the U.S. — though containment was swift.

WHO officials warn that:

• Any Ebola outbreak is a global concern. Vigilance must remain high across borders.
• The Zaire strain has a mortality rate of up to 90% without treatment.

Already, neighbouring countries to the DRC — Angola, Rwanda, Uganda, and Central African Republic — have heightened their alert levels.

Lessons from the Past: What Works

Epidemiologists argue that early detection and contact tracing are the two most effective tools. Nigeria’s 2014 response succeeded because:

• Over 18,500 people were screened and traced in record time.
• Public campaigns used radio jingles, posters, and community leaders to spread awareness.
• Isolation units were established within 48 hours of confirmation.

This blueprint is still relevant today — and may determine whether Nigeria avoids another Ebola crisis.

Policy and Preparedness Recommendations

To strengthen Nigeria’s shield against Ebola:

1. Expand quarantine facilities near major airports and seaports.
2. Stockpile PPE for hospitals nationwide.
3. Fast-track rapid test kits to detect Ebola within hours, not days.
4. Train border officers to recognize symptoms and handle suspected cases.
5. Public awareness campaigns to counter rumours and teach preventive hygiene.

Conclusion: Eternal Vigilance

Ebola remains one of the deadliest viruses known to man. For countries like Nigeria, the challenge is not just medical but also social, political, and logistical.

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The fresh outbreak in the DRC is a reminder that health security is borderless. One infected traveler slipping through unchecked could ignite a public health emergency.

By intensifying screening and surveillance, Nigeria has taken the first critical step. But success will depend on sustained vigilance, transparency, and investment in public health systems.

For now, Nigerians watch anxiously, hoping history will not repeat itself.