Chadian Prime Minister says the decision is for public health needs.

The government of Chad has closed its border with Nigeria to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus from Nigeria into the country, Africa Time reported.

"This decision will have an economic impact on the region but it is imperative for public health needs," Aljazeera quoted the Prime Minister of Chad, Kalzeubet Payimi Deubet as having said while  explaining the decision. The closure of the border with Nigeria, Africa Time reported the Prime Minister as saying, concerns the Lake Chad region which is the only entry point from Nigeria into Chad after Cameroon earlier closed its border with Nigeria still to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus.

Before Cameroon closed its border on August 19, 2014, imports from Nigeria to Chad transited through Cameroon and the present situation leaves the Lake Chad region as the only entry point to Chad from Nigeria.

The decision has negative economic effects, especially on the payment of customs duties on cargo vehicles from the Ports of Cotonou and Lome. As such, the Minister of Territorial Administration and other officials were last Thursday sent to the affected region to explain the importance of the decision to the population, Africa Time reported.

Nigeria has reported 15 cases of Ebola;  the lowest number in the four affected countries  and the WHO has expressed "cautious optimism" that the spread can be stopped.

Chad has joined the list of countries that have imposed travel bans from West African countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria that are hit by the deadly Ebola fever. Aljazeera quoted UN World Food Programme sources which stated that over 1,300 people have already died from Ebola in the worst outbreak of the disease in history.