Health and aviation authorities have intensified surveillance measures at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, with airlines operating from high-risk countries now under closer scrutiny as part of efforts to prevent the importation of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) into Nigeria.

The move followed renewed concerns over the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), prompting the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Lagos State Government, Port Health Services and other stakeholders to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms at the country’s busiest airport.

As part of the heightened alert, authorities have identified airlines arriving from countries considered vulnerable to Ebola transmission and introduced enhanced screening procedures for passengers on such flights.

The development emerged during a joint inspection of MMIA’s health surveillance and emergency response facilities by top officials from the health and aviation sectors.

The inspection team included the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; Airport Manager, MMIA, Mr. Olatokunbo Arewa; FAAN’s General Manager, Aviation Medical, Dr. Ibrahim Bilikisu; Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide; Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi; and the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Ismail Adeshina Abdus-Salam.

Speaking during the exercise, Prof. Abayomi commended the proactive steps already taken by airport authorities and health officials in response to developments surrounding the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.

He emphasized the need for continuous vigilance, particularly in monitoring passengers arriving from countries classified as high-risk destinations. According to him, early identification, isolation and monitoring of travellers from such locations remain critical to preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

Briefing the delegation during the inspection, Dr. Abdullahi Lawal, Officer-in-Charge of Port Health Services and Head of the Point of Entry (PoE) Team at MMIA, disclosed that comprehensive risk assessments had been conducted to evaluate the airport’s preparedness level.

According to him, the airport’s emergency preparedness and response plan has been reviewed and strengthened to address potential Ebola-related threats.

He revealed that airlines operating from high-risk countries have been identified and placed under enhanced surveillance, while health screening forms are being administered to passengers arriving on such flights.

Lawal explained that the measures form part of a broader emergency response framework designed to facilitate the early detection, reporting and management of suspected cases.

In his remarks, MMIA Airport Manager assured the visiting officials of FAAN’s commitment to maintaining strict compliance with all health and safety protocols.

He stressed the importance of prompt reporting and immediate action whenever symptoms associated with Ebola or other infectious diseases are observed among passengers.