The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to place 46 people identified as contacts of an Ebola patient on a no-fly list for at least 21 days, following a confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Keyamo disclosed this in a statement posted on his verified X account after a virtual meeting with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate.

He said he had also directed FAAN to strengthen Ebola surveillance and response protocols across all international airports, including enhanced health screening, temperature checks, and travel history monitoring.

According to Keyamo, the Minister of Health provided a list of 44 people who came into contact with an affected female patient at a hospital after she developed symptoms of Ebola, as well as two members of her domestic staff.

“This evening, I held a virtual meeting with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, over the Ebola scourge,” Keyamo stated.

“He shared with me a list of 44 persons with whom the affected person came in contact at the hospital when she had developed the symptoms and an additional two persons who are her domestic staff.”

He explained that aviation authorities had been directed to prevent the individuals from travelling by air for at least 21 days, corresponding to the maximum incubation period during which Ebola symptoms may develop following exposure.

“Whilst efforts are ongoing to isolate them for now until there is certainty they had not been infected with the virus, the Aviation authorities are required to put them on a no-fly list for at least 21 days (which is the period that the symptoms are normally expected to manifest),” he said.

Keyamo added that he had directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to immediately notify domestic and international airlines of the restriction.

“I have therefore directed the NCAA to immediately inform all local and international airlines of this development,” he stated.

The minister also instructed FAAN to intensify health surveillance and Ebola response measures at international airports nationwide.

According to him, FAAN had already introduced enhanced health screening, temperature checks, travel history tracking, and digital health declarations.

“I have also directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to heighten Ebola response and surveillance protocols across all international airports,” he said.

“Measures already being implemented by FAAN include enhanced health screenings, temperature checks, travel history tracking, digital health declarations, and strict inter-agency coordination with the NCDC following regional outbreak alerts earlier.”

Keyamo’s statement did not identify the affected patient, disclose the location of the hospital where the contacts occurred, or specify whether the infection was contracted in Nigeria.

It also did not indicate that any of the 46 identified contacts had tested positive for Ebola.

The development followed an announcement by FAAN on Wednesday that it was maintaining heightened vigilance across airport operations.

The agency said it was working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Port Health Services, the NCAA, and other relevant agencies to support ongoing containment efforts.

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

“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,” it said in a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire.

The agency urged 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,” it added. “FAAN reassures the travelling public of its continued readiness to work with relevant agencies to protect public health and support the safe operation of Nigeria’s airports.”

The Federal Government confirmed a case of Ebola in the FCT on Wednesday.