The Lagos State Ministry of Health has reassured residents that there is no immediate threat to public safety in the state despite the ongoing Ebola outbreak reported in parts of Central and East Africa.
The state government said its biosecurity and disease surveillance systems remain fully operational and capable of responding swiftly to any potential biological threat.
The assurance was given by the Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, in a statement issued on behalf of the ministry amid growing concerns over the evolving outbreak in affected African countries.
According to the statement, the Lagos State Government has intensified monitoring efforts following directives from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensure the state remains prepared against any possible outbreak.
The ministry disclosed that the Ebola outbreak has so far remained limited to Uganda and Democratic Republic of the Congo, where health authorities have reportedly recorded approximately 177 deaths from nearly 700 suspected cases.
Health officials noted that the World Health Organization had classified the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to the difficult geographical terrain and logistical challenges confronting health workers in the affected areas.
Despite the concerns, Abayomi stressed that no suspected Ebola case has been recorded in Lagos State.
“The Lagos Biosecurity Bio-shield was built to protect and remains ready to respond to biological shocks,” the commissioner said.
“Preparedness for us is not a temporary reaction; it is a permanent culture embedded within our health system.”
The commissioner explained that Lagos had built one of the most advanced public health emergency response systems in Nigeria following lessons learned from previous outbreaks, especially the 2014 Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to him, the state’s disease preparedness infrastructure has continued to evolve through continuous investments in surveillance, emergency coordination, laboratory systems and rapid response mechanisms.
Abayomi noted that the state’s emergency response framework includes the Lagos State Incident Command System, which is directly coordinated by Governor Sanwo-Olu during major public health emergencies.
He added that the Lagos State Emergency Operations Centre remains active around the clock to coordinate disease surveillance, monitor emerging threats and gather public health intelligence.
The commissioner also highlighted the role of the Lagos Mainland Hospital, widely known as the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, describing it as a key component of the state’s emergency preparedness system.
According to him, the hospital remains on high alert with dedicated isolation centres, intensive care units and specialised facilities for the treatment and management of infectious diseases.
Abayomi further disclosed that the Biosafety Level-3 Laboratory and Biobank Facility located within the Yaba hospital had intensified surveillance and testing operations to support real-time diagnosis and monitoring of dangerous pathogens.
He explained that Lagos State was also collaborating closely with relevant federal agencies and aviation authorities to strengthen screening and monitoring at all entry points into the country.
The ministry said the state government was working in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Nigeria Institute of Medical Research to enforce preventive measures.
Special attention, according to the statement, is currently being directed at flights arriving from East and Central African countries.
“All flights arriving from East and Central Africa are receiving heightened public health attention and scrutiny as part of precautionary measures to strengthen early detection and risk mitigation,” the ministry stated.
Abayomi said community-level disease surveillance had also been strengthened across Lagos through collaboration with Community Health Workers, Community Development Associations and Civil Society Organisations.
According to him, these groups have been integrated into the state’s surveillance network to improve information sharing, early warning systems and rapid reporting of suspicious illnesses.
The ministry also revealed that emergency supplies such as Personal Protective Equipment, gloves, sanitisers and other critical medical materials had been strategically distributed across key healthcare facilities and emergency centres within the state.
Ambulance services and emergency response teams, the government added, remain on standby for immediate deployment if necessary.
“Our focus remains firmly on prevention, early detection, prompt reporting and swift multi-sectoral response,” Abayomi stated.
“Lagos remains vigilant, organised and safe.”
The state government also advised residents to remain calm but alert, especially individuals returning from affected countries or those who may have had close contact with travellers from outbreak zones.
Residents experiencing symptoms or requiring medical guidance were urged to immediately contact emergency response lines through 767 or 112.
The ministry also provided the contact number of the Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, 08023169485, for further assistance and information.
Health authorities reiterated that the state government would continue monitoring the situation closely while maintaining proactive measures to protect residents from any potential public health threat.
