Health

Nigeria Boosts Health Surveillance as Ebola Risk Prompts Border Checks

Published

5 months ago

June 3, 2026

FG Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja, Identifies 44 Contacts

Nigeria Boosts Health Surveillance as Ebola Risk Prompts Border Checks

The Federal Government has intensified health screening at airports, seaports, and land borders across Nigeria following renewed concerns over the spread of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in parts of East and Central Africa.

Authorities say the strengthened measures are part of a national public health emergency preparedness plan designed to prevent the importation of the virus into Nigeria. Travellers identified as high-risk or showing symptoms consistent with Ebola or other viral haemorrhagic fevers will now undergo secondary screening, isolation, and referral for further medical assessment. The development comes amid reports of a fresh outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus in parts of Africa, prompting increased surveillance across countries with high travel connectivity.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through its Assistant Director of Press and Public Relations, Ado Bako, the government confirmed that there is currently no confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria. However, the ministry said Nigeria has activated enhanced nationwide preparedness systems to strengthen disease surveillance, early warning detection, and emergency response capacity in line with global health security standards. It added that all points of entry have been placed under stricter monitoring, with health officials directed to intensify screening and risk assessment for incoming travellers.

As part of the new protocols, authorities have introduced mandatory temperature checks using infrared thermal scanners and handheld devices, completion of health declaration forms, and detailed travel history assessments for passengers arriving in Nigeria. Officials also confirmed the activation of enhanced risk profiling systems at designated entry points to identify passengers coming from affected regions or presenting potential symptoms of infection. The ministry said these steps include strengthened secondary screening procedures, as well as isolation and referral mechanisms for suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fevers.

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Nigeria’s Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system has also been reinforced, with expanded community-based surveillance networks and improved event-based reporting across the country. The Federal Government further disclosed that Public Health Emergency Operations Centres have been activated, while Rapid Response Teams at national and sub-national levels have been placed on standby to respond to any suspected outbreak. Hospitals and health facilities nationwide have been directed to strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, improve triage systems, and ensure immediate reporting of suspected cases.

The Ministry of Health urged Nigerians not to panic, stressing that all measures are preventive and aimed at safeguarding national health security. Citizens were advised to maintain good hygiene practices such as regular handwashing, avoid contact with bodily fluids of sick individuals, and refrain from handling bushmeat from unknown sources. The public was also encouraged to report unusual illnesses or deaths to health authorities promptly.

The renewed alert follows reports of an Ebola outbreak linked to the Bundibugyo strain in parts of East and Central Africa. Health officials say the outbreak has triggered heightened vigilance across the continent due to the risk of cross-border transmission. Nigeria, which successfully contained the 2014 Ebola outbreak, continues to rely on strengthened emergency preparedness systems built from that experience.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has raised concerns over what it described as a critical funding crisis affecting the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). Lawmakers warned that inadequate funding and delayed budget releases could weaken Nigeria’s ability to respond effectively to outbreaks such as Ebola and other infectious diseases. They said key areas including laboratory services, surveillance systems, logistics, and emergency response operations are already under pressure due to financial constraints. The House also called for urgent release of appropriated funds, intensified cross-border surveillance, and strict monitoring of NCDC resource utilisation to strengthen national health preparedness.

Nigeria previously earned global recognition for its swift containment of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, a success experts say must be sustained through consistent investment in public health surveillance and emergency response systems.

Nigeria Boosts Health Surveillance as Ebola Risk Prompts Border Checks

Related Topics:border Ebola Health Surveillance

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NAFDAC Busts Illegal Herbal Factory in Lagos, Arrests Manager Over Fake Registration Number

Published

6 hours ago

October 21, 2026

Trends Admin

NAFDAC Busts Illegal Herbal Factory in Lagos, Arrests Manager Over Fake Registration Number

LAGOS — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a suspected illegal herbal product manufacturing facility in Agege, Lagos State, and arrested its manager over the alleged use of a falsified registration number on herbal products.

The agency disclosed the development on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, following an investigation triggered by a report published by The Guardian on October 10 concerning herbal products allegedly carrying fake NAFDAC registration numbers.

According to NAFDAC, its investigative team conducted surveillance before discovering three variants of Asheitu Adams Bitters bearing registration number A7-1827L.

However, checks through the agency’s NAFDAC Automated Product Administration and Monitoring System (NAPAMS) revealed that the registration number belonged to Greentol Cough Syrup, rather than the herbal bitters.

The agency said the discovery confirmed the fraudulent use of the registration number on the products.

During the operation, the company’s managing director and chief executive officer was reportedly absent, while the manager was arrested for further interrogation as investigations continued.

The Sun identified the arrested manager as 39-year-old Abdullazeez Saidu from Kano State. NAFDAC had not announced any court charges against him as of Wednesday.

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The agency urged members of the public to provide credible information about suspected illegal manufacturing activities to help strengthen enforcement efforts and protect consumers from potentially unsafe products.

NAFDAC provided the following channels for reporting suspected violations: its call centre numbers, 0800-1-623322 and 0700-1-623322, and the email address reforms@nafdac.gov.ng.

The discovery comes amid a series of enforcement operations by the agency against suspected counterfeit and adulterated products in Lagos and other parts of the country.

On October 14, NAFDAC reported uncovering a suspected facility at the International Trade Fair Complex in Lagos where expired alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages were allegedly being repackaged for sale. The agency also reported seizures of suspected counterfeit alcoholic drinks in other operations.

The latest operation highlights concerns about the misuse of regulatory registration numbers, which consumers often rely on when assessing whether products have been registered for sale in Nigeria.

NAFDAC has repeatedly urged consumers to verify product registration details and report suspicious products or manufacturing activities.

The agency’s investigation into the Agege facility is ongoing, and further details about the products recovered, their distribution and any potential health effects have not been publicly disclosed.

NAFDAC Busts Illegal Herbal Factory in Lagos, Arrests Manager Over Fake Registration Number

Health

FG Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja, Identifies 44 Contacts

Published

1 day ago

October 20, 2026

Trends Admin

FG Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja, Identifies 44 Contacts

The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, after laboratory tests returned positive for a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria from Uganda.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the development on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, saying health authorities had identified 44 close contacts and commenced contact tracing to prevent further transmission.

According to the minister, the patient was admitted to a private hospital in Abuja, where she received medical attention for several days before the infection was confirmed. She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is coordinating the response with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities.

Public health teams are tracing and monitoring people who may have been exposed to the patient, including healthcare workers, other patients, caregivers and people who travelled with her.

The government said surveillance had been intensified, while the hospital where the woman received treatment was receiving support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.

The minister urged public and private healthcare facilities across Nigeria to remain on high alert and promptly identify, isolate and report suspected cases to the appropriate public health authorities.

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Healthcare workers were also directed to maintain strict infection prevention and control practices to reduce the risk of exposure and protect patients and medical personnel.

Pate appealed to Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative with health officials, stressing that early detection and prompt reporting were essential to containing the infection.

He noted that Nigeria had successfully contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014 and had experience and public health systems to respond to the current situation.

The government also urged anyone contacted during the tracing exercise, including passengers who may have travelled with the patient, to provide the necessary information and comply with official public health guidance.

Ebola virus disease is a serious illness that can spread through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who has developed symptoms, or through contaminated objects and materials.

Symptoms may include fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea. The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days.

Anyone who believes they may have been exposed and subsequently develops symptoms should contact public health authorities for guidance and avoid close contact with others while awaiting advice.

The NCDC operates a toll-free call centre on 6232, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for information and reports of suspected cases.

Nigeria’s latest case comes amid a wider Ebola outbreak affecting parts of Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and countries in East Africa. The NCDC had previously warned of the risk of imported infections and strengthened national preparedness measures.

The Federal Government said investigations and contact tracing were continuing, with further updates expected through the NCDC and the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease.

Authorities have urged the public to rely on verified information, follow official health advice and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports as efforts continue to contain the infection.

FG Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja, Identifies 44 Contacts

Health

NAFDAC Seizes Fake Drinks Worth Over ₦2bn at Lagos Trade Fair Complex

Published

1 week ago

October 14, 2026

Trends Admin

NAFDAC Seizes Fake Drinks Worth Over ₦2bn at Lagos Trade Fair Complex

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a suspected large-scale counterfeit alcoholic beverage operation at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, seizing products reportedly valued at more than ₦2 billion.

The operation, conducted on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, followed intelligence reports about suspected illegal activities within the commercial complex.

The raid reportedly led to the discovery of more than 20 illegal stores allegedly used for the production and distribution of counterfeit alcoholic beverages and other prohibited activities.

According to reports on the operation, the facilities were concealed within makeshift stores originally designated as parking spaces within the complex.

During the exercise, NAFDAC officials reportedly discovered individuals allegedly involved in blending and counterfeiting popular alcoholic beverage brands, revalidating expired and unsafe drinks for resale, and stockpiling banned imported products.

Two suspects were reportedly apprehended during the operation, while the seized products were evacuated from the premises.

The discovery has raised concerns about the possible circulation of counterfeit, expired and unsafe alcoholic beverages in Nigerian markets, particularly products repackaged to appear genuine.

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NAFDAC has repeatedly warned that the consumption of adulterated or unsafe beverages could expose consumers to serious health risks.

The agency urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of illegal manufacturing, relabelling, revalidation and sale of regulated products.

Consumers were also advised to exercise caution when purchasing alcoholic beverages, particularly products with suspicious packaging, questionable expiry dates or other signs of tampering.

NAFDAC provided its official complaints line, 0800-1-NAFDAC (0800-1-623322), for members of the public to report suspected violations.

The latest enforcement action forms part of the agency’s efforts to combat counterfeit and substandard products and protect public health.

Investigations are expected to establish the full extent of the alleged activities and identify other individuals who may be connected to the suspected distribution network.