The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has placed airlines and airport authorities on high alert following a fresh outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in parts of East and Central Africa.
The aviation regulator directed airlines and relevant aviation agencies to immediately strengthen health surveillance procedures at all international airports across the country.
The directive followed the declaration by the World Health Organisation (WHO) of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
In a regulatory circular issued to both domestic and international carriers operating in Nigeria, the NCAA said the move became necessary amid growing concerns over the possible cross-border spread of the disease through international air travel.
Health authorities linked the outbreak to the rare Bundibugyo Ebola virus strain, described as highly severe, with no widely licensed vaccine or specific treatment currently available.
The WHO and regional health agencies have reported more than 300 suspected cases and dozens of deaths across parts of East and Central Africa.
Although Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed case linked to the outbreak, the NCAA said it is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Port Health Services, and other international health bodies to strengthen monitoring and preventive measures.
According to the agency, health officials in the DRC recently discovered a cluster of severe illnesses among healthcare workers in the Bunia Health Zone in the country’s northeastern region.
Part of the NCAA circular stated: “There is currently no licensed vaccine specifically approved for the Bundibugyo strain, while treatment remains largely supportive and symptom-based.”
The agency listed symptoms of Ebola Virus Disease to include sudden fever, severe fatigue, persistent headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, and bleeding symptoms such as nosebleeds or vomiting blood.
The NCAA stressed that the aviation sector plays a critical role in preventing the international spread of communicable diseases, noting that early detection and immediate reporting remain vital in containing outbreaks.
As part of the emergency measures, airlines were directed to strengthen onboard disease surveillance and comply fully with international public health protocols.
Pilots were also instructed to immediately notify Air Traffic Control (ATC) of any suspected communicable disease case onboard aircraft in line with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs).
Flight crew members are expected to complete Aircraft General Declaration forms for suspected cases, while airlines must ensure passenger locator forms are properly filled and submitted to Port Health Services upon arrival.
The NCAA further directed airlines to equip aircraft with first-aid kits, universal precaution kits, and emergency medical kits.
Operators were also mandated to reinforce crew training on identifying and managing communicable diseases while ensuring strict compliance with infection prevention and control measures.
