With the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in DR Congo, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has called for a high level of vigilance by the airlines, especially those operating international and regional flights into the country.
In a circular marked NCAA/DG/AMS/Vol.1/196, dated 11th May, 2018, sent to all the operating airlines, the agency informed them of the outbreak of the EVD in the DR Congo on May 8, 2018.
NCAA stated that despite that the outbreak of the disease that Central African country is yet to be declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a Public Health Event of International Concern (PHEIC), it (NCAA), the federal ministry of health and “all other relevant agencies have been taken concerted steps to ensure the virus does not creep into Nigeria.
For its part the agency has issued some interim measures to be adopted by the airlines to forestall the infiltration disease.
“Pilots-in-Command of an aircraft are to report to Air Traffic Control (ATC) any suspected case of communicable disease onboard their flight in line with Nig.CARs 18.8.22.4.
“In case of any suspected case of communicable disease on board an aircraft, aircrew are to fill the General Declaration (Gen Dec) and Public Health Passenger Locator forms in line with Nig.CARs 18.8.17.4 and 18.8.22.5 respectively.
“Completed General Declaration and Public Health Passenger Locator forms are to be submitted to the Port Health Services (PHS) of the destination Aerodrome.
“Airlines are to ensure they have onboard valid and appropriate number of First aid kits, Universal Precaution kits and Emergency Medical kits in line with Nig. CARs 7.9.1.12.
“Airlines are to refresh the knowledge of their crew members in the handling and communicating with ATC of any suspected case of communicable disease on board.
“Airlines are to contact Port Health Services for clearance before importing human remains into the country.
“Airlines are to report to the Authority in writing of any suspected case of communicable disease in flight,” said NCAA in a circular signed by its director general, Capt. Muhtar Usman.
“The NCAA will continue to collaborate with all relevant agencies to ensure that the PHECP developed for the guidance of aviation stakeholders are adhered to. This will prevent the importation of any communicable disease into the country through our air borders (airports),” it added.