Nigerian Senate Calls for Mandatory Ebola Health Screenings

The Senate of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to provide emergency funding from the Service-Wide Vote to enhance the country's disease surveillance system and implement mandatory health screenings at all international airports, seaports, and designated land borders. This resolution was prompted by a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Senator Francis Faduyile, who expressed concerns regarding the spread of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to other African nations, including Uganda and Kenya.

Senator Faduyile highlighted the risk of infected travelers entering Nigeria, recalling the 2014 incident where a single infected traveler brought Ebola into Lagos. The Senate acknowledged existing preventive measures but stressed the need for comprehensive mandatory screenings for all international passengers, regardless of their nationality or country of departure.

Proposed measures include health declaration forms, temperature checks, and symptom assessments, particularly for travelers from affected areas within the last 21 days.