Lagos Activates Ebola Response System Following Congo Outbreak
The Lagos State Government has activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) in a precautionary move to guard against a possible Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak.
According to a statement released on Thursday via the state’s official X handle, the decision followed an emergency meeting of the Incident Management Structure (IMS) at the Mainland Hospital, Yaba, on September 9.
The step comes amid an ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where 58 suspected and confirmed cases and 20 deaths including four health workers have been recorded in Kasai Province as of September 10.
As part of its preparedness, Lagos has opened an isolation facility with capacity for 14 to 18 patients. Other measures include strengthened surveillance, laboratory systems, infection prevention and control, and immediate training for frontline health workers across all response pillars.
Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, represented by the Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity, and Global Health, Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam, said the move was essential given the state’s vulnerability as a major travel hub.
“Lagos is largely ready,” Dr. Abdus-Salam assured, adding that updated Ebola fact sheets and advisories will be circulated to public and private health facilities to ensure doctors, nurses, and laboratory scientists remain alert.
He urged residents not to panic but to maintain strict hand hygiene, environmental sanitation, and early reporting of suspected cases, especially among travellers returning from outbreak areas.
“The Ebola virus spreads through direct contact with blood, body fluids, or contaminated materials from an infected person. Anyone experiencing fever, sore throat, or malaria-like symptoms after visiting affected regions should call 767 or 112 immediately,” Ogboye advised.
At the airport, Dr. Abdullahi Lawal, Officer-in-Charge of Port Health Services, confirmed that robust surveillance and infection control measures have been put in place to prevent importation of the virus.
The government further disclosed that stakeholders including immigration, customs, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) are being sensitised to detect Ebola symptoms early, while travellers are encouraged to observe proper hand hygiene and promptly report any suspicious cases.
