The Lagos State Government says it is prepared to prevent, detect and respond to any potential Ebola Virus Disease threat following the confirmation of an imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo in Abuja.
The State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, gave the assurance in a statement on Sunday, urging residents and visitors to remain calm and vigilant as the government strengthens its preparedness measures.
Abayomi said the Ministry of Health, through its Directorate of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health, was intensifying disease surveillance, public awareness and community engagement. He added that the state had engaged airport management, Port Health Services and other stakeholders at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport to strengthen passenger screening and emergency response coordination.
The commissioner said public enlightenment efforts were also being expanded to educate residents on Ebola symptoms, transmission and prevention. He advised people with fever to undergo malaria testing before taking antimalarial medicines, while urging residents to maintain good hand hygiene and avoid contact with the body fluids of sick persons and potentially contaminated materials.
Abayomi urged travellers to provide accurate health and travel information to authorised officials and promptly report symptoms or suspected exposure to public health authorities. He said suspected exposure concerns in Lagos could be reported through the state’s emergency numbers, 112 or 767, or the Directorate of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health on 0802 316 9485.
The commissioner said the state would continue to monitor developments, strengthen surveillance and coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure a timely response. He urged residents to follow official health advisories, stressing that early detection and prompt reporting were essential to preventing the spread of the disease.
