The Lagos State Government has intensified disease surveillance and emergency preparedness following the confirmation of an imported case of Ebola virus disease in Abuja, assuring residents that no case has been detected in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, gave the assurance in a personally signed statement issued on Sunday, urging residents and visitors to remain calm, vigilant and adhere to recommended preventive measures.
Abayomi said the state, through the Directorate of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health, was strengthening disease surveillance, risk communication and community engagement, while collaborating with relevant agencies at points of entry, including the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).
He said the measures were aimed at improving the early detection of suspected cases and ensuring a coordinated response to potential public health threats.
“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 commissioner said.
He explained that the engagement focused on passenger screening, information sharing, infection prevention and control, and the coordination of emergency response measures.
Abayomi added that the ministry was intensifying public enlightenment through educational materials on Ebola, including its symptoms, modes of transmission and prevention.
He described Ebola virus disease as a severe illness that can be fatal, noting that it spreads primarily through direct contact with the blood and other body fluids of an infected person showing symptoms, contaminated materials or the bodies of people who have died from the disease. Infection may also occur through contact with infected animals.
The commissioner said symptoms could develop between two and 21 days after exposure and include fever, severe weakness, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Unexplained bleeding or bruising may also occur in some cases.
He advised residents who develop symptoms, particularly after possible exposure or travel from an area with active transmission, to seek prompt medical assessment, noting that early Ebola symptoms could resemble malaria and other common illnesses.
“In line with Lagos State’s fever-management policy, anyone with a fever should undergo a malaria rapid diagnostic test before taking antimalarial medicines,” he said.
Abayomi added that if the test result was negative, a healthcare professional should assess other possible causes and determine appropriate treatment.
He urged residents 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.
The commissioner also advised travellers arriving in Nigeria, particularly from areas reporting Ebola transmission, to cooperate with Port Health Services and other authorised officials, provide accurate travel and health information when requested, and comply with public health guidance.
He urged anyone who developed symptoms during travel or after arrival to notify the appropriate health personnel promptly and seek guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
Abayomi said anyone who suspected exposure to Ebola, particularly following contact with a suspected or confirmed case, should promptly contact public health authorities for guidance.
Residents can report suspected cases or exposure concerns in Lagos through the state’s emergency numbers, 112 or 767, or contact the Directorate of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health, on 0802 316 9485.
“The Lagos State Government will continue to monitor developments, strengthen surveillance and response readiness, coordinate with relevant stakeholders and provide verified updates as necessary,” he said.
He urged residents to rely on official public health announcements rather than rumours, adding that early detection and prompt reporting were essential to saving lives.
