The Lagos State Government has moved to strengthen disease surveillance and emergency response systems following renewed Ebola Virus Disease concerns in parts of Central and East Africa, assuring residents that there is no immediate threat within the state.
Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, noting that Lagos’ biosecurity and emergency response infrastructure had been fully activated as a precautionary measure.
He said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had directed the intensification of surveillance, preparedness, and rapid response activities across the state to prevent any possible importation of the virus.
According to him, the current outbreak reported to have caused about 177 deaths from nearly 700 suspected cases remains confined to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
He added that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had declared the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, largely due to difficult terrain in affected regions, which could hinder containment efforts.
Despite global concern, Abayomi stressed that no suspected or confirmed Ebola case had been recorded in Lagos State.
He explained that the state had, over the years, built a resilient public health emergency system capable of responding to outbreaks such as 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,” he said.
The commissioner noted that Lagos’ emergency preparedness framework was first tested during the 2014 Ebola outbreak and later strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He further explained that the state’s response system operates under the Incident Command System, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as Incident Commander, ensuring rapid coordination and deployment of resources during health emergencies.
Abayomi said the Lagos State Emergency Operations Centre remains active round the clock, conducting disease surveillance and gathering real-time data through trained epidemiologists and public health specialists.
He added that the Lagos Mainland Hospital in Yaba, also known as the Infectious Disease Hospital, maintains high readiness with isolation units, triage systems, and intensive care capacity for infectious disease management.
The commissioner also revealed that the facility’s Biosafety Level-3 Laboratory and biobank are on heightened alert for the detection and monitoring of high-risk pathogens, working in collaboration with local and international partners.
He noted that surveillance at entry points, including Murtala Muhammed International Airport, as well as land and sea borders, has been strengthened in coordination with federal health authorities.
Lagos, he said, is working closely with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research to enhance early detection and response capacity.
He added that passengers arriving from Central and East Africa are now subject to increased public health screening as part of preventive measures.
Community health workers, civil society groups, and Community Development Associations have also been integrated into the surveillance network to improve early warning and reporting systems at grassroots level.
According to Abayomi, emergency supplies such as personal protective equipment, gloves, sanitizers, and other critical materials have been pre-positioned across key facilities, while ambulance services remain on standby.
“Our focus remains firmly on prevention, early detection, prompt reporting and swift multi-sectoral response. Lagos remains vigilant, organised and safe,” he said.
He assured residents that the government will continue to work with federal authorities and the NCDC to provide timely updates as the situation develops.
Residents, particularly those who have recently travelled to affected countries or had contact with returnees, were advised to seek medical attention promptly if they develop symptoms.
Emergency contacts provided include 767, 112, and the Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health at the Lagos State Ministry of Health on 08023169485.
