LAGOS ACTIVATES EBOLA RESPONSE SYSTEM AMID DR CONGO OUTBREAK
The Lagos State Government has activated the Incident Management Structure (IMS) of the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) as part of measures to strengthen prevention and preparedness against any possible outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the State.
The IMS activation followed an emergency meeting of the Lagos PHEOC held on the 9th of September at the Mainland Hospital, Yaba, in response to the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers, have been reported.
At the meeting, an epidemiology overview of the DRC outbreak was reviewed, while pillar leads presented a preparedness checklist spanning infection prevention and control (IPC), surveillance, contact tracing, case management, laboratory capacity, evacuation, risk communication, budget and logistics.
Speaking after the meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, who was represented by the Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health in the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam, said the activation of the IMS is a proactive step given Lagos’ vulnerability as a major gateway with three points of entry.
According to him, Lagos is “largely ready,” with an isolation centre that can accommodate between 14 and 18 beds each for suspected and confirmed cases. He noted that surveillance, laboratory and IPC systems are functional, while the first batch of training for frontline health workers across all pillars will commence immediately.
He disclosed that the PHEOC had validated the Ebola fact sheets and advisories which will be disseminated to all tiers of health workers across public and private facilities in Lagos. This, he explained, would ensure that doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists and other cadres are on alert.
Addressing public concerns, Ogboye urged residents not to panic, stressing that the State Government has taken control measures. He, however, advised strict adherence to hand hygiene, environmental sanitation, and early reporting of suspected cases, especially among travellers returning from outbreak regions.
“The Ebola virus spreads through direct contact with blood, body fluids, or contaminated items of an infected person. Anyone with fever, sore throat or malaria-like symptoms who has recently travelled to affected regions should report immediately to 767 or 112,” he emphasised.
He further revealed that additional staff had been deployed to strengthen the PHEOC workforce, with preparedness plans being developed into formal memos for rapid mobilisation of resources should a case occur in Lagos.
Also speaking, Officer-in-Charge of Port Health Services at Murtala Muhammed International Airport and Head of the Point of Entry (PoE) team, Dr. Abdullahi Lawal, said robust surveillance and IPC measures are being put in place at the airports to prevent importation of the virus.
He noted that all airport stakeholders, including immigration, customs and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, were being sensitised on EVD symptoms and signs to enable early detection. Travellers, he added, are being advised to practice hand hygiene and report any fellow passengers exhibiting suspicious symptoms.
Lawal commended the Lagos State Government for its continuous collaboration with federal agencies at the airport, assuring that the State remains supportive and responsive in preventing Ebola’s re-entry into Nigeria.
