A new Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak has been declared in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), specifically in Kasai Province, raising concerns across the continent. With 28 suspected cases and 16 deaths, including four health workers, reported as of September 5, 2025, the Federal Government of Nigeria isn’t waiting. They have swiftly ramped up monitoring and screening procedures at all points of entry to safeguard the nation.
Nigeria’s Proactive Stance: Strengthening Our Borders
Dr. Akpan Nse, Director of Port Health Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, confirmed Nigeria’s intensified efforts in an exclusive interview. Understanding the inherent risk posed by high levels of international travel between Nigeria and the DRC, Dr. Nse outlined the robust measures now in place:
- Intensified Surveillance: All airports, land borders, and seaports across the country are under heightened surveillance.
- Mandatory Screening: Every inbound traveler arriving from or transiting through Congo to Nigeria is now subject to thorough screening, including the collection of medical history via mandatory forms.
- Reactivated Portals: Comprehensive screening is being conducted for every passenger on every flight arriving in Nigeria from Congo, extending to all points of entry.
- Increased Workforce: With support from the World Health Organization (WHO), additional staff have been employed to strengthen border surveillance, ensuring more efficient and comprehensive screening.
- Functional Thermal Scanners: Private organizations have partnered with the Federal Government to ensure thermal scanners at airports remain fully functional, aiding in early detection.
“We have intensified surveillance at all points of entry across the country—airports, land borders, and seaports. Every inbound traveller coming from Congo to Nigeria is thoroughly screened, and we collect their medical history through mandatory forms,” Dr. Nse stated, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the response.
The DRC Situation and Global Support
The current outbreak in Kasai Province marks the DRC’s 16th experience with EVD since its first identification in 1976. Previous outbreaks in Kasai were reported in 2007 and 2008, highlighting the region’s vulnerability. Samples from the current outbreak have confirmed the strain to be Ebola Zaire, a severe form of the virus.
In response, the WHO has swiftly allocated $500,000 from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support the DRC. WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, noted that staff are already on the ground in Kasai, joining rapid response teams for contact tracing, case finding, and testing. Critical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE), laboratory equipment, medical supplies, and a mobile laboratory, have been delivered. Crucially, 2,000 doses of Ebola vaccine, pre-positioned in Kinshasa, are being released to vaccinate contacts and health workers.
Expert Calls for Sustained Vigilance
Nigerian health experts are unified in their call for sustained vigilance.
Dr. Oladipo Kolawole, an Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases and Genomics at Adeleke University, commended Nigeria’s past expertise in handling Ebola but urged against complacency. He stressed the importance of inter-ministerial coordination and maintaining a “well-tightened” surveillance system. “Everybody coming into the country, especially from DR Congo, must declare where they are coming from at the point of entry,” he advised.
Dr. Moses Adewumi, a virologist at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, emphasized the urgent need to activate and strictly enforce surveillance systems. “Early detection is the key to prevention,” he asserted, calling for deliberate monitoring at all points of entry to prevent any suspected case from slipping through.
Dr. Iorhen Akase, Head of the Infectious Diseases Unit at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), reiterated that Ebola transmission risk is significant only when someone is symptomatic, underscoring the importance of border monitoring for such individuals.
Understanding Ebola Virus Disease
Ebola is a rare but severe, often fatal illness. It is transmitted to people through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected animals (like fruit bats, believed to be natural hosts). Human-to-human transmission occurs through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person, contaminated objects, or the body of someone who has died from the disease.
A United Front for Health Security
Nigeria’s swift and comprehensive response to the new Ebola outbreak in the DRC demonstrates a strong commitment to public health security. While the threat is real, Nigeria’s proactive measures, backed by international support and expert counsel, offer a robust defense. The collective vigilance of both the government and the public will be crucial in ensuring that Nigeria remains free from this deadly virus.
