LAGOS STATE ACTIVATES EBOLA RESPONSE SYSTEM AMID DR CONGO OUTBREAK

Press Release

12/09/25

Lagos State Government has activated the Incident Management Structure (IMS) of the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre as part of measures to strengthen prevention and preparedness against any possible outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the State.

The activation followed an emergency meeting held 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 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 systems are functional, while the first batch of trainings for frontline health workers across all pillars will commence immediately.

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.

Ebola virus spreads through direct contact with blood, body fluids, or contaminated items of an infected person, therefore Anyone with fever, sore throat or malaria-like symptoms who has recently travelled to affected regions should be reported immediately to 767 or 112 The Permsecretary advised

Robust surveillance measures are being put in place at the airports to prevent importation of the virus.