Nigerian Senate Orders Health Screenings Amid Ebola Concerns

The Nigerian Senate has ordered compulsory health screenings for all international travelers entering Nigeria following concerns that an Ebola patient may have entered the country without proper screening. This decision was made after a debate on an urgent motion sponsored by Senator Francis Faduyile, who warned of a high risk of further Ebola cases.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio revealed that a traveler from Kenya tested positive for Ebola after entering Nigeria without any health screening. He emphasized the need for immediate action, recalling the 2014 Ebola outbreak.

The Senate directed the Committee on Judiciary to work with health authorities to amend the Quarantine Act of 1926. The Senate unanimously resolved that health screenings, including temperature checks and health declaration forms, must be mandatory for all international passengers.

Senator Ali Ndume stressed that screening should apply to all travelers, regardless of their country of origin, highlighting the unpredictable nature of Ebola transmission.