The Lagos State Government says it has intensified disease surveillance and strengthened preparedness following the confirmation of an imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus in Abuja.
The Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, said there is currently no suspected case in Lagos, urging residents to remain calm, vigilant and adhere to preventive measures.
“Lagos State is ready to prevent, detect and respond to potential public health threats.
Residents and visitors need not panic, because of the confirmation of an imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja”, he said.
He said the state is strengthening surveillance and collaboration with relevant agencies, including Port Health Services and authorities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, to ensure early detection and prompt response.
Abayomi advised residents to maintain proper hand hygiene, avoid contact with the body fluids of sick persons and seek prompt medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding, particularly after possible exposure.
” As part of its preparedness efforts, the State has conducted a strategic engagement and assessment at MMIA with airport management, Port Health Services and other aviation and public health stakeholders. The engagement focused on passenger screening, information sharing, infection prevention and control, and coordination of emergency response measures” Abayomi said.
He said “The Ministry is also intensifying public enlightenment through educational materials on Ebola, its symptoms, transmission and prevention” .
“Ebola Virus Disease is a severe illness that can be fatal. It spreads primarily through direct contact with the blood and other body fluids of an infected person who is showing symptoms, contaminated materials, or the bodies of people who have died from the disease. Infection may also occur through contact with infected animals. Residents are advised to avoid contact with potentially infectious materials and to rely on verified information rather than rumours or speculation”he said.
Abayomi said, “In line with Lagos State’s fever-management policy, anyone with a fever should undergo a malaria rapid diagnostic test before taking antimalarial medicines. Where the test is negative, a healthcare professional should assess other possible causes and determine appropriate treatment. Residents are also advised to wash their hands regularly, avoid contact with the body fluids of sick persons, refrain from handling potentially contaminated materials and avoid contact with sick or dead wild animals”.
According to him, ” Travellers arriving in Nigeria, particularly from areas reporting Ebola transmission, are urged to cooperate with Port Health Services and other authorised officials, provide accurate travel and health information when requested, and comply with applicable public health guidance”.
He said” Anyone who develops symptoms during travel or after arrival should promptly notify the appropriate health personnel and seek guidance before visiting a healthcare facility. Airlines and airport operators are expected to sustain established public health protocols, while travellers should consult official advisories from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for current guidance”.
He also urged anyone who suspects exposure to Ebola to contact public health authorities before visiting a healthcare facility.
Abayomi said suspected cases or exposure concerns can be reported through the emergency numbers 112 or 767, or the Lagos State Ministry of Health on 0802 316 9485, assuring residents that it would continue to monitor developments and provide verified updates.
