The Federal Government of Nigeria has intensified health checks at all entry points following a fresh Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The Director of Port Health Services at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Akpan Nse, confirmed that passengers from Congo — including those transiting through the country before arriving in Nigeria — will now undergo mandatory screening at airports, seaports, and land borders.

“We have intensified surveillance at all points of entry across the country. Every inbound traveller coming from Congo is thoroughly screened, and we collect their medical history through mandatory forms,” Nse explained.

He added that more health officers have been deployed nationwide, with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO), to strengthen surveillance and prevent importation of the virus.

The move comes after the DRC declared a new outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in Kasai Province, where at least 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths — including four health workers — have been reported. Laboratory results confirmed the strain as Ebola Zaire, the deadliest type of the virus.

WHO noted that patients presented with severe symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and haemorrhage in Bulape and Mweka health zones.

Nigeria, which has had previous experience in containing Ebola, says it is fully on alert and committed to protecting its citizens.