Ebola Alert: NCAA Mandates Enhanced Airport Surveillance Amid DRC and Uganda Outbreak

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a critical directive to airlines, airport operators, and all aviation stakeholders to intensify public health surveillance measures at Nigerian airports. This action follows the confirmed outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, raising global health concerns.

Why This Directive Matters: The Aviation Sector as a First Line of Defense

In a circular dated May 18, 2026, the NCAA emphasized that the aviation sector plays a pivotal role in preventing cross-border transmission of infectious diseases. Air travel can rapidly spread pathogens across continents within hours, making airports critical chokepoints for surveillance and containment. The directive aligns with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), which require member states to maintain core capacities for detecting and responding to public health events at points of entry.

Although no confirmed case linked to the current outbreak has been recorded in Nigeria, the NCAA is collaborating closely with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Port Health Services, and international health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to monitor the situation in real time.

Understanding the Threat: The Bundibugyo Virus Strain

Health authorities in the DRC recently identified a cluster of severe illnesses among healthcare workers in the Bunia Health Zone, located in the northeastern part of the country. Laboratory investigations confirmed the presence of the Bundibugyo virus, a strain of the Ebola virus family known to cause severe viral haemorrhagic disease in humans.

Unlike the more widely known Zaire ebolavirus (which has an approved vaccine, Ervebo), there is currently no licensed vaccine specifically approved for the Bundibugyo strain. Treatment remains largely supportive and symptom-based, focusing on fluid replacement, electrolyte management, and treatment of secondary infections. This makes early detection and immediate reporting absolutely critical to preventing international spread.

Key Symptoms to Watch For

The NCAA listed the following symptoms associated with Ebola Virus Disease:

• Sudden onset fever
• Severe fatigue
• Persistent headache
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Bleeding manifestations (e.g., nosebleeds, vomiting blood, or bloody diarrhea)

It is important to note that symptoms typically appear 2 to 21 days after exposure. The disease is not airborne; transmission occurs through direct contact with blood, bodily fluids, or contaminated surfaces. This distinction is crucial for aviation personnel who may need to manage suspected cases without panic.

Enhanced Surveillance Measures at Airports

As part of the preventive measures, the NCAA has directed that disease surveillance systems at all Nigerian airports be strengthened. Specific actions include:

• Reinforced contact tracing and case reporting mechanisms – Port Health Services will maintain logs of passengers arriving from affected regions and follow up on any reported symptoms.
• Border health screening procedures – Thermal scanners and symptom questionnaires will be deployed at arrival halls to identify febrile passengers.
• Pilot notification protocols – Pilots are now required to notify Air Traffic Control immediately of any suspected communicable disease cases onboard aircraft, in line with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs).
• Aircraft General Declaration forms – Flight crew members must complete and submit these forms for all suspected cases, providing detailed information about the passenger’s condition and travel history.
• Passenger locator forms – Airlines must ensure that all passengers complete these forms, which are handed over to Port Health Services upon arrival. This facilitates rapid contact tracing if a case is later confirmed.

Practical Example: How This Works in Real Time

Imagine a passenger arriving from Entebbe, Uganda, who develops a fever and vomiting mid-flight. The cabin crew isolates the passenger, uses the universal precaution kit (gloves, mask, gown), and the pilot radios Air Traffic Control before landing. Upon arrival, Port Health Services boards the aircraft, assesses the passenger, and arranges for safe transfer to a designated isolation facility. The passenger locator form is used to trace and notify other passengers who may have been in close contact.

Equipment and Training Requirements for Airlines

The NCAA has mandated that airlines ensure aircraft are properly equipped with:

• First aid kits – For general medical emergencies.
• Universal precaution kits – Including gloves, masks, gowns, and disinfectants for handling suspected infectious cases.
• Emergency medical kits – Containing medications and equipment for managing severe symptoms.

Additionally, the authority urged operators to reinforce crew training on the identification and management of communicable diseases. This includes recognizing symptoms, using personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly, and following infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines. Regular drills and refresher courses are recommended to ensure readiness.

Call to Action for All Aviation Stakeholders

The NCAA called on all aviation stakeholders—including ground handlers, caterers, security personnel, and airport administrators—to remain vigilant and comply fully with established public health protocols. The goal is to safeguard passengers, crew members, and the general public from potential health threats while maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s aviation system.

For further details, refer to the original circular or contact the NCAA’s Public Health Desk. [[PEAI_MEDIA_X]]

All credit goes to the original article. For more information, read the: Source link