Enugu Ebola surveillance intensifies at Akanu Ibiam International Airport as authorities strengthen monitoring and preparedness measures

The Enugu State Government has intensified surveillance activities at Akanu Ibiam International Airport and other entry points across the state following the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in Uganda, as authorities move to prevent the importation and spread of the virus.

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The Commissioner for Health, George Ugwu, disclosed the development on Tuesday, saying the state had also designated a dedicated isolation facility to manage any suspected Ebola cases that may arise.

Ugwu said the measures form part of a broader preparedness strategy aimed at safeguarding residents from the highly infectious disease.

According to the commissioner, although Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed Ebola case, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has classified Enugu as a high-risk state because of its international airport, which serves as a major gateway for travellers entering the country.

“The state cannot afford complacency and must remain vigilant in the face of emerging public health threats,” Ugwu said.

He explained that surveillance activities were being strengthened at all points of entry, particularly at the airport, where health officials are working with relevant stakeholders to monitor passengers and quickly identify potential health risks.

Ugwu added that the Ministry of Health would expand public awareness campaigns to educate residents about Ebola prevention, symptoms and reporting procedures.

The commissioner said the ministry would collaborate with healthcare workers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community groups and media organisations to ensure accurate information reaches the public.

He urged residents to maintain good hygiene practices and promptly report any individual displaying symptoms associated with the disease.

The World Health Organisation state coordinator, Adaeze Ugwu, commended the state government’s proactive response and preparedness efforts.

She expressed confidence that coordinated action involving surveillance teams, healthcare facilities, emergency response structures and residents would strengthen the state’s ability to detect and contain any potential outbreak.

The enhanced Enugu Ebola Surveillance comes amid heightened global health monitoring following the recent outbreak of the Sudan ebolavirus strain in East Africa.

Nigeria previously faced an Ebola outbreak in 2014 after an infected Liberian traveller, Patrick Sawyer, arrived in Lagos and triggered a public health emergency.

Through aggressive contact tracing, surveillance and containment measures, the country successfully halted the outbreak and was declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization in October 2014 after recording 20 confirmed cases and eight deaths.

Health authorities note that Ebola remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, with fatality rates ranging from 25 per cent to 90 per cent depending on the strain and available treatment.

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The state government said maintaining vigilance at international transit hubs and border entry points remains critical to preventing a recurrence of the devastating outbreak experienced more than a decade ago.