LAGOS STRENGTHENS EBOLA SURVEILLANCE, ASSURES RESIDENTS OF PREPAREDNESS
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By: Muftau Fatimo
The Lagos State Government has intensified disease surveillance and preparedness measures following the confirmation of an imported case of Ebola virus disease in Abuja, urging residents to remain calm, vigilant and adhere to recommended preventive measures.
The state government, through the Ministry of Health, said it was strengthening its capacity to prevent, detect and respond to potential public health threats, assuring residents that there was no confirmed case of Ebola in Lagos at the time of the announcement.
In a statement, the ministry, through its Directorate of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health, disclosed that it was reinforcing disease surveillance, risk communication and community engagement to enhance early detection and response to suspected cases.
The ministry also highlighted ongoing collaboration with relevant agencies at points of entry, particularly the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), to strengthen monitoring and ensure effective coordination in the event of a suspected case.
As part of its preparedness efforts, the state conducted a strategic engagement and assessment at the airport involving its management, Port Health Services and other aviation and public health stakeholders.
The engagement focused on passenger screening, information sharing, infection prevention and control, as well as coordination of emergency response measures.
The ministry added that public enlightenment efforts were being intensified through educational materials aimed at informing residents about Ebola, its symptoms, modes of transmission and preventive measures.
Ebola Virus Disease is a severe and potentially fatal illness that spreads primarily through direct contact with the blood and other body fluids of an infected person who is showing symptoms, contaminated materials, or the body of a person who has died from the disease. Transmission may also occur through contact with infected animals.
The government advised residents to avoid contact with potentially infectious materials and rely on verified information from official health authorities rather than rumours or speculation.
According to the ministry, Ebola symptoms may appear between two and 21 days after exposure and include fever, severe weakness, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
Unexplained bleeding or bruising may also occur in some cases.
The ministry noted that the early symptoms could resemble those of malaria and other common illnesses, urging anyone who becomes unwell, particularly after possible exposure or travel from an area reporting active transmission, to seek prompt medical assessment.
It further advised residents to adhere to Lagos State’s fever-management policy, which requires anyone with a fever to undergo a malaria rapid diagnostic test before taking antimalarial medication.
Where the test returns negative, a healthcare professional should assess other possible causes of the fever and recommend appropriate treatment.
Other preventive measures recommended by the government include regular handwashing, avoiding contact with the body fluids of sick persons, refraining from handling potentially contaminated materials and staying away from sick or dead wild animals.
Travellers arriving in Nigeria, particularly from areas reporting Ebola transmission, were also urged to cooperate with Port Health Services and other authorised officials by providing accurate travel and health information when requested.
The ministry advised anyone who develops symptoms during travel or after arrival in Nigeria to notify the appropriate health personnel promptly and seek guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
Airlines and airport operators were equally encouraged to maintain established public health protocols, while travellers were advised to follow official guidance issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The state government further urged anyone who suspects exposure to Ebola, particularly following contact with a suspected or confirmed case, to contact public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
Residents who suspect exposure or wish to report relevant concerns in Lagos can contact the state’s emergency numbers, 112 or 767, or reach the Directorate of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health, on 0802 316 9485.
The government assured residents that it would continue to monitor developments, strengthen surveillance and response readiness, coordinate with relevant stakeholders and provide verified updates as necessary.
It urged residents to remain calm, observe recommended preventive measures and follow official public health announcements, stressing that early detection and prompt reporting were essential to protecting public health.
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