Ebola Threat: Aviation Stakeholders Warn Airlines Against Carrying Suspected Patients

Air transport stakeholders have called on airline operators to avoid conveying passengers suspected of having Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, in a bid to reduce the risk of spreading the infection across borders.

The appeal came as Port Health Services, PHS, announced that intensified screening and monitoring measures had been activated at Nigeria’s airports and other entry points following concerns over the disease.

According to PHS, the measures include temperature screening, health monitoring procedures and the use of QR code scanners to improve passenger health declaration and contact-tracing processes.

The agency disclosed this during a workshop on Ebola preparedness and prevention organised by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria alongside health and safety agencies at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Officials from health and border control agencies said surveillance operations had been intensified at international airports, especially for travellers arriving from countries considered high-risk, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

Participants at the workshop underscored the importance of cooperation among aviation authorities, health institutions, security agencies and government bodies in ensuring quick detection and response to any suspected Ebola case.

Medical experts also drew attention to symptoms commonly associated with Ebola Virus Disease, such as fever, unexplained bleeding, sudden weight loss and other related complications.

They advised the public and relevant agencies to maintain strict preventive measures, including regular hand washing, good hygiene practices, reduced physical contact, improved surveillance and immediate isolation of suspected cases.

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