The Federal Government has intensified monitoring and screening at all entry points into Nigeria following the fresh outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Director of Port Health Services at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Akpan Nse, confirmed the measures in an interview on Friday. He said additional staff have been deployed to strengthen border surveillance across airports, seaports, and land borders.

 “We have intensified surveillance at all points of entry across the country. Every inbound traveller from Congo is thoroughly screened, and we collect their medical history through mandatory forms,” Nse stated.

According to him, passengers transiting through the DRC are also subjected to mandatory checks, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and private organisations ensuring that thermal scanners at airports remain fully functional.

The outbreak in Kasai Province has so far recorded 28 suspected cases and 16 deaths, including four health workers. Samples tested on September 3 confirmed the presence of the Ebola Zaire strain.

WHO has since released $500,000 from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support the response, while prepositioned Ebola vaccines are now being deployed for frontline health workers and contacts.

WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said response teams are already on the ground in Kasai:

 “We’re tracing contacts, testing samples, and providing technical support in treatment, risk communication, and infection prevention. This is the 16th outbreak of Ebola in the DRC, and the government has rich experience from those previous outbreaks.”

Nigeria, meanwhile, remains on high alert to prevent the virus from entering the country.