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By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Lagos State Government has intensified disease surveillance and emergency preparedness measures following the confirmation of an imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus in Abuja, assuring residents that no suspected case has been detected in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, October 25, 2026, saying the government was strengthening surveillance, public awareness and coordination with relevant agencies to prevent the spread of the disease.
Abayomi said the Lagos State Ministry of Health, through its Directorate of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health, was working with stakeholders at points of entry, particularly the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), to enhance early detection and ensure a coordinated response to potential cases.
“Lagos State is ready to prevent, detect and respond to potential public health threats,” he said, urging residents and visitors to remain calm and vigilant following the confirmation of the imported case in the Federal Capital Territory.
“As part of its preparedness efforts, the state government has conducted an assessment and strategic engagement with airport management, Port Health Services and other aviation and public health stakeholders.
“The discussions focused on passenger screening, information sharing, infection prevention and control, and coordination of emergency response measures,” he said.
Abayomi said the ministry was also intensifying public enlightenment to educate residents on Ebola symptoms, transmission routes and preventive measures, while urging the public to rely on verified information rather than rumours.
“Ebola Virus Disease is a severe illness that can be fatal. It spreads primarily through direct contact with the blood and other body fluids of an infected person who is showing symptoms, contaminated materials, or the bodies of people who have died from the disease. Transmission may also occur through contact with infected animals,” he added.
The commissioner explained that symptoms could develop between two and 21 days after exposure, including fever, severe weakness, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, saying that unexplained bleeding or bruising may also occur in some cases.
He warned that the early symptoms could resemble malaria and other common illnesses, making prompt medical assessment important, particularly for people who may have been exposed to an infected person or travelled from an area reporting transmission.
“In line with Lagos State’s fever-management policy, anyone with a fever should undergo a malaria rapid diagnostic test before taking antimalarial medicines,” Abayomi said.
He added that where a malaria test returned negative, a healthcare professional should assess other possible causes of the fever and determine the appropriate treatment.
Residents were advised to wash their hands regularly, avoid contact with the body fluids of sick persons, refrain from handling potentially contaminated materials and stay away from sick or dead wild animals.
The government also urged travellers arriving in Nigeria, particularly from areas reporting Ebola transmission, to cooperate with Port Health Services and other authorised officials by providing accurate travel and health information when requested.
Airlines and airport operators were similarly advised to maintain established public health protocols, while travellers were encouraged to follow official guidance issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
Abayomi urged anyone who suspects exposure to Ebola, particularly through contact with a suspected or confirmed case, to contact public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
He said suspected cases and relevant exposure concerns in Lagos could be reported through the state’s emergency numbers, 112 or 767, or by contacting the Directorate of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health on 0802 316 9485.
The commissioner assured residents that the government would continue to monitor developments, strengthen surveillance and coordinate with relevant stakeholders to ensure preparedness against potential public health threats.
He called on Lagosians to remain calm, observe recommended preventive measures and follow official announcements, stressing that early detection and prompt reporting were essential to protecting public health.
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