The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has intensified vigilance across the country’s airports following the confirmation of an imported case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

FAAN in a statement by its Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, said it was working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Port Health Services, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other relevant agencies to support ongoing efforts to contain the disease.

The development came as health authorities begin contact tracing for 44 people identified as potentially exposed to the infected woman, who recently travelled to Uganda in East Africa.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, confirmed the case at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, following laboratory confirmation of the infection.

Pate said the patient developed symptoms on October 7 and sought medical attention at a private health facility on October 11. She has since been isolated and is receiving medical care.

According to the minister, those being monitored include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel-related contacts who may have been exposed to the infected woman.

Reacting to the development, FAAN said the early identification of the case and commencement of contact tracing underscored the importance of established public health protocols, effective surveillance and inter-agency collaboration in responding to potential health threats.

The authority said it was maintaining heightened vigilance across airport operations and would continue to coordinate with public health authorities, aligned its response with further guidance and support additional measures considered necessary to protect passengers, airport personnel and the wider public.

The agency urged passengers, airport users, airlines and other stakeholders to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative with health officials.

The authority also advised the public to rely on verified information and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports about the outbreak.

The statement read in part: “FAAN is maintaining heightened vigilance across airport operations and will continue to coordinate with public health authorities, align its response with further guidance and support additional measures considered necessary to safeguard passengers, airport personnel and the wider public.

“The authority urges passengers, airport users, airlines and other stakeholders to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative with health officials. The public is also advised to rely on verified information and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports.”