FG Tightens Ebola Watch, Considers Restrictions on Flights from DR Congo, Uganda
The Federal Government is considering flight restrictions from Ebola-affected countries and mandatory isolation for travellers showing symptoms as part of renewed efforts to prevent an outbreak in Nigeria.
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this Thursday after an emergency meeting in Victoria Island, Lagos, where officials reviewed Nigeria’s Ebola preparedness. He said discussions covered banning flights from high-risk nations, isolating passengers with Ebola-like symptoms, and strengthening screening at airports and border points. Authorities are also looking at using cargo terminals and designated facilities to handle travellers from affected regions, stating further that President Bola Tinubu had been briefed on the situation in DR Congo and Uganda, and assured Nigerians that all necessary steps would be taken to keep the virus out.
“We believe prevention is better than cure, and where some passengers slip through the cracks, then we must have ways of dealing with situations such as that,” Gbajabiamila said.
The meeting was attended by NCDC Director-General Dr. Jide Idris, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Lagos Health Commissioner Prof. Akin Abayomi, and other top officials. Furthermore, NCDC Director-General Dr. Jide Idris warned that Ebola has no vaccine or treatment, making rapid detection, isolation, public enlightenment, and infection control Nigeria’s strongest defences. He said preparedness plans have been activated in all 36 states.The move comes as the World Health Organisation reports 10 confirmed and 223 suspected Ebola deaths in DR Congo since the latest outbreak was declared in mid-May, with more than 1,000 confirmed and suspected cases.
Comments
This post currently has no comments.