Africa’s recurring Ebola outbreaks have exposed the urgent need to strengthen public health preparedness, particularly at international airports and other points of entry. As the continent expands its air transport networks and facilitates greater movement of people and goods, protecting public health must remain a central priority. The experience of previous outbreaks, combined with renewed concerns over cross-border transmission, demonstrates why governments, airport authorities, airlines and health agencies must work together to prevent the spread of infectious diseases while maintaining safe and reliable air travel.
The Airports Council International (ACI) World recognises health as a critical component of airport safety and operational resilience. Its health initiatives emphasise disease prevention, emergency preparedness, international cooperation and the well-being of airport workers and passengers. Applied to Ebola, these principles offer a practical framework for strengthening Africa’s capacity to detect, manage and contain public health threats before they escalate into wider emergencies.
Ebola virus disease is a severe illness transmitted primarily through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of infected people, or contaminated materials. It is not spread through casual contact or through the air. However, its potentially serious consequences, combined with international travel and population movement, make rapid detection and coordinated response essential. Airports are particularly important because they connect countries and continents, creating opportunities for early identification of suspected cases and timely intervention.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), working with the World Health Organisation (WHO) through the Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA), supports countries in preparing for health emergencies affecting aviation. This collaboration reflects a fundamental principle: protecting public health and sustaining air connectivity are complementary objectives, not competing interests.
African airports should therefore maintain comprehensive public health emergency contingency plans that clearly define the responsibilities of airport operators, port health officials, airlines, immigration services, emergency medical teams and other relevant agencies. These plans must be regularly tested through simulation exercises to identify weaknesses and ensure that personnel can respond effectively when a suspected Ebola case is detected.
Passenger health screening may form part of the response when recommended by public health authorities. However, screening alone cannot identify every infected traveller, particularly when symptoms have not developed. Airports must combine appropriate screening with reliable referral systems, clear communication, trained personnel and established procedures for safely isolating suspected cases and transferring them to designated medical facilities. Where necessary, passenger information should be collected and shared securely with authorised health authorities to support contact tracing.
Staff preparedness is equally important. Airport workers, including cleaners, security personnel, baggage handlers, cabin crew and emergency responders, require appropriate training to recognise potential health risks, follow infection prevention procedures and report concerns promptly. Adequate protective equipment, suitable hygiene facilities, effective waste management and access to medical advice are essential. Protecting these workers reduces occupational risks and helps maintain uninterrupted airport operations during emergencies.
Another important lesson from previous Ebola outbreaks is that public trust can determine the success or failure of containment efforts. Misinformation, fear and stigma may discourage affected individuals from seeking medical attention or cooperating with health authorities. Airports and government agencies must therefore provide clear, consistent and evidence-based information to passengers and surrounding communities. Communication should explain how Ebola spreads, what precautions are necessary and where people can obtain reliable medical assistance.
Regional cooperation is particularly important in Africa, where porous land borders, extensive travel networks and differences in national health infrastructure can complicate outbreak control. Countries should strengthen information-sharing arrangements, harmonise appropriate travel health procedures and coordinate surveillance across airports and other border crossings. Collaboration between national governments, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO, ICAO and ACI can support faster responses and more consistent preparedness standards.
Recent experience reinforces this urgency. In May 2026, WHO declared the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. The response highlighted the importance of surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention, community engagement and coordinated action across borders. Such developments underline the need for African countries to maintain preparedness even when no outbreak is immediately threatening their territory.
Beyond immediate containment, ACI’s emphasis on health and well-being should encourage airports to build lasting institutional capacity. Investment in trained personnel, emergency infrastructure, public health partnerships and regular assessments can strengthen resilience against Ebola and other emerging infectious diseases. Airport health readiness programmes can also help identify operational gaps and encourage continuous improvement.
Ultimately, Ebola preparedness must be treated as a shared responsibility rather than an emergency measure introduced only after infections emerge. African governments should invest in sustainable public health systems, while airport operators and airlines must integrate health protection into everyday operations. With effective planning, transparent communication, regional solidarity and evidence-based interventions, Africa can reduce the risk of Ebola spreading through travel networks while preserving confidence in its aviation sector.
The message is clear: prepared airports protect more than passengers. They help safeguard communities, strengthen national health security and sustain the connections on which Africa’s economic and social development depends.
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Ekelem Airhihen, an accredited mediator, has an MBA from the Lagos Business School. He is a member, ACI Airport Non-aeronautical Revenue Activities Committee; his interests are in market research, customer experience and performance measurement, negotiation, strategy and data and business analytics. He can be reached on ekyair@yahoo.com and +2348023125396 (WhatsApp only).
