Lagos State Government has assured residents that there is no immediate threat from the ongoing Ebola outbreak in parts of Central and East Africa, stating that its emergency response and disease surveillance systems remain fully active and ready to respond to any potential health risk.
The reassurance was conveyed by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, in a statement issued by the Lagos State Government after Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu directed relevant agencies to strengthen surveillance and emergency response measures over the evolving outbreak.
According to the commissioner, the outbreak has so far resulted in about 177 deaths from nearly 700 suspected cases and is currently limited to Congo and Uganda.
He noted that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), largely due to the difficult terrain in the affected countries, which may hamper local and international response efforts.
Abayomi, speaking on behalf of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, said no suspected or confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease has been detected in Lagos.
He explained that the state has developed a strong and resilient biosecurity system over the years, designed to ensure continuous preparedness and response to infectious diseases such as Ebola, Lassa Fever and Influenza.
The commissioner highlighted the Lagos State Incident Command System (ICS), led directly by Governor Sanwo-Olu as Incident Commander, as a key component of the state’s emergency response framework.
According to him, the structure enables the swift mobilisation of government resources and ensures effective coordination during public health emergencies.
He added that the Lagos State Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) remains operational round the clock, carrying out disease surveillance and gathering real-time public health intelligence through a network of trained epidemiologists and disease surveillance experts who can be deployed quickly for outbreak investigation and containment.
“The Lagos State Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) remains operational around the clock, conducting disease surveillance and gathering real-time public health intelligence through a dedicated network of highly trained epidemiologists and disease surveillance specialists who can be rapidly deployed for outbreak investigation and containment,” the statement said.
Abayomi further stated that the Lagos Mainland Hospital, also known as the Lagos State Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), Yaba, remains on standby with infectious disease specialists, dedicated triage systems, intensive care facilities and isolation centres capable of managing cases of varying severity.
He also disclosed that the Biosafety Level-3 Laboratory and Biobank Facility within the hospital is maintaining enhanced surveillance operations for the diagnosis and monitoring of high-risk pathogens while collaborating with public health laboratories within and outside Nigeria.
The commissioner said the state government is working closely with Port Health Authorities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport as well as officials at land and sea entry points in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) and other relevant agencies.
He revealed that all flights arriving from East and Central Africa are currently receiving increased public health attention and scrutiny as part of measures aimed at improving early detection and reducing risks.
Abayomi advised residents who recently travelled to Congo or Uganda, or those who have had close contact with persons returning from the affected countries and have health concerns, to seek assistance through the appropriate emergency channels.
Residents were urged to contact emergency numbers or the Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health at the Lagos State Ministry of Health for information, guidance and support.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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