The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that travellers arriving from countries where Ebola Virus Disease transmission is active or considered relevant could be asked to fill out health declaration forms as part of efforts to prevent the disease from being imported into Nigeria and spreading.
The NCDC made this known in an interim public health advisory released on Tuesday, as the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues.
The advisory, signed by the NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, explained that the decision was based on an assessment of the changing epidemiological situation, as well as consultations with public health experts and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The agency said, “Travellers from countries with active or relevant EVD transmission may be required to complete the Health Declaration Form as part of enhanced public health surveillance and follow-up measures.”
The NCDC, however, stated that travellers arriving from other countries were not required to complete the form for now.
“Passengers from all other countries are exempt from completing the form, at this time,” the NCDC stated.
The agency further called on Nigerians and other members of the public to stay alert to symptoms associated with Ebola and seek medical care without delay when necessary.
“The general public is encouraged to remain vigilant, particularly for symptoms consistent with EVD, and to promptly seek medical attention and report relevant travel or exposure history where applicable,” it said.
The NCDC said Nigeria remained on high alert over the situation, noting that preparedness measures were already in progress.
It added that the measures would be reassessed regularly as the epidemiological situation develops and public health risk assessments are updated.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health through evidence-based surveillance, preparedness and coordinated responses to emerging health threats.
