The Lagos State Government has assured residents that there is no recorded case of Ebola Virus Disease in the state, urging the public not to panic over the outbreak currently affecting parts of Central and East Africa.
The government stated that the outbreak, which has reportedly claimed about 177 lives from nearly 700 suspected cases, remains confined to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, disclosed that the state government, under the directive of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is closely monitoring developments surrounding the outbreak.
According to him, Lagos has an established and efficient disease control system capable of responding swiftly to infectious diseases, including Ebola, Lassa fever and influenza.
Prof. Abayomi explained that the Lagos State Incident Command System, led by Governor Sanwo-Olu, remains fully prepared to coordinate emergency response operations should the need arise.
He added that the state’s Emergency Operations Centre continues to function, maintaining active disease surveillance and gathering critical health intelligence across Lagos.
The commissioner further revealed that the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba is on full alert, with trained medical specialists, isolation wards, intensive care facilities and effective screening mechanisms already in place to manage any suspected cases.
He noted that the Lagos State Government is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and other relevant agencies to reinforce health screening measures at airports, land borders and seaports.
According to him, passengers arriving from East and Central African countries are currently undergoing heightened health checks as a precautionary measure.
Prof. Abayomi advised residents who recently travelled to Congo or Uganda, or those who may have had contact with individuals returning from the affected countries and are feeling unwell, to seek immediate medical attention.
He also urged residents to contact emergency lines 767, 112 or 08023169485 for prompt assistance and verified information.
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