There is no immediate threat of Ebola in Lagos state in the wake of the ongoing outbreak in parts of Central and East Africa.
The state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, who disclosed this in a statement, said Lagos remains on high alert and has activated its biosecurity and emergency response systems to detect and contain any possible outbreak.
Abayomi said that no suspected or confirmed Ebola case has been recorded in Lagos State, even as the DRC is experiencing its 17th Ebola outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus.
He explained that the outbreak, which has so far claimed about 177 lives from nearly 700 suspected cases, is currently limited to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, noting that the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the situation as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to the difficult conditions affecting containment efforts in the impacted regions.
“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. The State's preparedness framework was first rigorously tested during the Ebola outbreak and significantly strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic. It remains actively engaged in responding to recurrent public health challenges, such as Cholera, Diphtheria and Lassa Fever outbreaks", Abayomi said.
The commissioner explained that Lagos strengthened its disease response capacity after the 2014 Ebola outbreak and further improved its systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that the state continues to maintain active surveillance against infectious diseases including Lassa fever, cholera and diphtheria.
Abayomi said the Lagos State Incident Command System, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, remains fully operational to coordinate rapid emergency response efforts.
He also disclosed that the Lagos State Emergency Operations Centre is working round the clock through a network of epidemiologists and disease surveillance officers monitoring public health developments in real time.
The Lagos State Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba has also maintained preparedness through isolation facilities, intensive care units and infectious disease specialists, while the Biosafety Level-3 Laboratory and Biobank Facility within the hospital continues enhanced surveillance and testing operations for high-risk pathogens.
The commissioner said the state government is collaborating with Port Health Services, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) and other agencies to strengthen monitoring at airports, land borders and seaports.
He added that passengers arriving from East and Central African countries are currently undergoing heightened health screening and surveillance.
Further, he said community health workers, community development associations and civil society groups have also been integrated into the state’s disease surveillance network to support early detection and reporting.
Emergency medical supplies including personal protective equipment, gloves and sanitizers have been strategically stocked across the state, while ambulance services remain on standby for rapid deployment. he noted.
“Our focus remains firmly on prevention, early detection, prompt reporting and swift multi-sectoral response. Lagos remains vigilant, organized and safe,” he said.
The state government advised residents, especially those returning from Congo or Uganda or those who recently had close contact with travelers from the affected countries, to seek medical guidance if they develop any symptoms or health concerns.
Residents were encouraged to contact emergency numbers 767 or 112, or reach the Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health at the Lagos State Ministry of Health on 08023169485 for assistance or information.
