The Federal Government has directed aviation authorities to place 46 persons identified as contacts of an Ebola-affected patient on a no-fly list for at least 21 days, as part of efforts to contain the spread of the disease. 

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this in a statement on his social media handle following a virtual meeting with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate. 

Keyamo said the list comprises 44 persons who came into contact with the affected female patient at a hospital after she developed Ebola symptoms, as well as two members of her domestic staff. 

He explained that the restriction would remain in place for at least 21 days while efforts continue to isolate the contacts and establish whether they had been infected. The minister also directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, to strengthen Ebola surveillance and response measures at all international airports. 

The measures include enhanced health screening, temperature checks and monitoring of passengers’ travel histories. Keyamo further disclosed that he had directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to immediately notify domestic and international airlines of the travel restrictions. 

The measures are aimed at reducing the risk of further transmission while health authorities continue contact tracing and monitoring.