Ebola: FG places 46 contacts on 21 day no fly list
The Federal Government has placed 46 people identified as contacts of a confirmed Ebola patient in the Federal Capital Territory on a no-fly list for at least 21 days as authorities intensify efforts to contain the virus.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the directive following a virtual meeting with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate.
In a statement posted on his verified X account, Keyamo said the affected individuals comprised 44 people who had contact with the patient at a hospital and two members of her domestic staff.
“He shared with me a list of 44 persons with whom the affected person came in contact at the hospital when she had developed the symptoms and an additional two persons who are her domestic staff,” the minister said.
Keyamo explained that the travel restriction would remain in place for at least 21 days, corresponding to the maximum incubation period of Ebola.
He said the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority had been directed to immediately notify domestic and international airlines of the restriction.
The minister also instructed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to strengthen surveillance and preventive measures at international airports.
According to him, the measures include enhanced passenger screening, temperature checks, travel history monitoring, digital health declarations and closer coordination with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
FAAN, in a separate statement, assured passengers that it was working with relevant health authorities to prevent further transmission.
The agency urged travellers to remain calm, cooperate with health officials and avoid spreading unverified information.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats had activated measures to contain the confirmed case.
Gbajabiamila explained that the infected passenger developed symptoms four days after arriving in Abuja, adding that existing surveillance protocols helped authorities identify the case.
Pate also confirmed that contact tracing and isolation measures were underway, with support from the World Health Organisation and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
“We have been conducting contact tracing diligently and isolating those contacts of the index imported case in this country,” he said.
The health minister urged Nigerians to comply with public health directives and avoid misinformation.
Authorities have not announced that any of the 46 identified contacts has tested positive for Ebola.