The Federal Government of Nigeria has increased monitoring and health checks at all entry points after a new Ebola outbreak was reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Dr Akpan Nse, Director of Port Health Services at the Ministry of Health, confirmed that extra staff have been sent to strengthen border surveillance and prevent the virus from entering the country.

The outbreak in DRC’s Kasai Province has recorded 28 suspected cases and 16 deaths, including four health workers, as of September 5, 2025. This is the 16th Ebola outbreak in the country since the virus was first discovered in 1976.

Dr Nse said Nigeria is at risk because of frequent travel between the two countries, but assured that strict measures are in place to keep the virus out.

All points of entry, including airports, seaports, and land borders, now have intensified screenings. Travelers from Congo must provide medical history through mandatory forms, and every passenger is checked upon arrival.

Even those who transit through Congo on their way to Nigeria are screened to ensure no cases slip through.

With support from the World Health Organization (WHO), more staff have been hired to strengthen surveillance at borders, and private organizations are helping keep thermal scanners at airports fully operational.

The outbreak occurs amid other health challenges in Central and West Africa, such as cholera, malnutrition, and displacement. Kasai has faced previous Ebola outbreaks in 2007 and 2008, while Equateur Province was last affected in 2022.

The WHO has released $500,000 from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support the response. Rapid response teams are already in Kasai, tracing contacts, testing samples, and providing technical guidance in infection prevention, treatment, and risk communication.

WHO has also delivered personal protective equipment, laboratory tools, medical supplies, and a mobile laboratory.

About 2,000 prepositioned Ebola vaccine doses stored in Kinshasa are being sent to vaccinate contacts and health workers.

According to WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the DRC government’s experience with previous outbreaks is helping to manage this 16th Ebola outbreak effectively.