… State says no confirmed case recorded
… Intensifies airport screening, emergency response amid E’Africa outbreak
LAGOS — The Lagos State Government has activated heightened surveillance and emergency response measures against the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), even as it reassured residents that there is currently no immediate threat of the deadly virus in the state despite the evolving outbreak in parts of Central and East Africa.
The state government said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had directed intensified surveillance, preparedness and rapid response actions across Lagos to prevent any possible importation of the disease.
Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said Lagos had fully activated its biosecurity and emergency response systems, stressing that the state remained vigilant and outbreak-ready.
According to him, while the Ebola outbreak has reportedly claimed about 177 lives from nearly 700 suspected cases, the spread remains limited to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
He explained that the World Health Organization had classified the situation as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to the complex terrain and operational challenges in the affected countries, factors that could complicate containment efforts.
Despite growing concerns, Abayomi maintained that Lagos had not recorded any suspected or confirmed case of Ebola.
He said the state had, over the years, built a resilient and tested public health emergency structure capable of responding to infectious disease outbreaks, including Ebola, Lassa fever, cholera, diphtheria and influenza.
“The Lagos Biosecurity Bio-shield was built to protect and remains ready to respond to biological shocks. Preparedness for us is not a temporary reaction; it is a permanent culture embedded within our health system,” the commissioner said.
Abayomi noted that Lagos’ disease response structure was first rigorously tested during the 2014 Ebola outbreak and later reinforced during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to stronger preparedness and institutional coordination.
He explained that the response framework is anchored on the Lagos State Incident Command System, headed by Governor Sanwo-Olu as Incident Commander, to guarantee rapid deployment of resources and effective emergency coordination.
According to him, the Lagos State Emergency Operations Centre remains operational round-the-clock, conducting disease surveillance and gathering real-time intelligence through trained epidemiologists and disease surveillance experts who can be swiftly deployed for investigation and containment.
The commissioner further disclosed that the Lagos Mainland Hospital, popularly known as the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, has maintained a high level of readiness, with infectious disease specialists, dedicated triage systems, isolation infrastructure and intensive care facilities in place to manage varying levels of infectious disease cases.
He added that the hospital’s Biosafety Level-3 Laboratory and Biobank Facility had heightened surveillance activities for the diagnosis and monitoring of high-risk pathogens in collaboration with local and international public health laboratories.
Abayomi said the state government was also strengthening collaboration with Port Health Authorities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, alongside land and sea entry points, to reinforce border surveillance.
He stated that Lagos was working closely with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms.
As part of precautionary measures, the commissioner said all flights arriving from Central and East Africa were now under increased public health scrutiny to aid early detection and minimise risks.
He further revealed that community health workers, Community Development Associations and civil society organisations had been integrated into the state’s disease surveillance and early warning system to ensure swift reporting of suspected cases from local communities.
Emergency stockpiles, including personal protective equipment, gloves, sanitisers and other essential medical supplies, he said, had also been strategically deployed to key locations, while ambulance services remained on standby to support rapid emergency interventions.
“Our focus remains firmly on prevention, early detection, prompt reporting and swift multi-sectoral response. Lagos remains vigilant, organised and safe,” Abayomi stated.
The commissioner assured residents that the state government would continue to work closely with the Federal Government and the NCDC to provide timely, evidence-based updates as the situation evolves.
He advised residents, particularly those who recently travelled to affected areas in Congo or Uganda or had close contact with returnees from those countries, to seek immediate medical guidance if they experience any health concerns.
Abayomi also urged residents to contact emergency numbers 767 or 112, or reach the Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health at the Lagos State Ministry of Health on 08023169485 for assistance, information and prompt response.