The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has directed airlines, airport operators and other stakeholders in the aviation sector to strengthen public health surveillance measures following the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
In a circular issued on May 18, 2026, the NCAA said the move was necessary to curb the possible cross-border spread of the disease through air travel.
The agency noted that Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed case linked to the current outbreak but said it is working closely with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Port Health Services and international health bodies to monitor developments.
According to the authority, health officials in the DRC recently discovered a cluster of severe illnesses among healthcare workers in the Bunia Health Zone in the country’s northeastern region. Laboratory tests later confirmed the presence of the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which causes severe haemorrhagic fever in humans.
The NCAA explained that there is currently no approved vaccine specifically for the Bundibugyo strain, while treatment mainly focuses on supportive care and symptom management.
It listed symptoms of Ebola Virus Disease to include sudden fever, extreme weakness, severe headache, vomiting, abdominal pain and bleeding symptoms such as nosebleeds or vomiting blood.
To strengthen preventive measures, the authority said airport disease surveillance systems have been enhanced, while border screening, contact tracing and case reporting procedures are also being reinforced.
The NCAA further instructed pilots to immediately report any suspected communicable disease cases onboard to Air Traffic Control, in line with Nigeria’s civil aviation regulations.
Airlines were also directed to ensure the completion of Aircraft General Declaration forms and passenger locator forms for suspected cases, with all relevant documents submitted to Port Health authorities upon arrival.
In addition, operators were told to equip aircraft with first aid kits, universal precaution kits and emergency medical kits, while also improving crew training on the identification and management of infectious diseases.
The NCAA urged all aviation stakeholders to remain alert and strictly comply with public health and infection prevention protocols to protect passengers, crew members and the wider public.
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