The Enugu State Government, in collaboration with key health and aviation stakeholders, has intensified disease surveillance operations at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in a move aimed at strengthening early detection systems and closing gaps in infectious disease monitoring at the state’s international gateway.
The initiative, which is part of broader public health preparedness measures, focuses on reinforcing Ebola surveillance protocols, improving passenger screening processes, and enhancing coordination among health officers stationed at entry points. Authorities say the upgraded system is designed to ensure faster identification, isolation, and reporting of suspected cases in line with global health security standards.
At the centre of the intervention is improved contact tracing capacity, with officials working to address previously identified weaknesses in tracking individuals who may have been exposed to infectious diseases during transit. Health personnel at the airport are also expected to undergo enhanced training to improve response time and data reporting accuracy.
The measures come as part of efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s air borders against potential importation of viral haemorrhagic diseases, including Ebola, amid renewed attention to global outbreak preparedness.
The Akanu Ibiam International Airport serves as a key international entry point in southeastern Nigeria, handling both passenger and cargo traffic, making it a strategic location for frontline disease surveillance and border health control.
State health authorities and aviation stakeholders are expected to maintain continuous monitoring and periodic reviews of the system to ensure compliance with international health regulations and to strengthen emergency response coordination across agencies.
