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• Emergency operations structure activated in Yaba
• Airport surveillance tightened for high-risk travellers
By Doris Obinna
The Lagos State Government has activated the Incident Management Structure (IMS) of the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) as part of measures to prevent any possible outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
The decision followed an emergency PHEOC meeting on Tuesday, September 9 at Mainland Hospital, Yaba, after fresh cases were reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The outbreak has so far recorded 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers.
Speaking after the meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, represented by Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam, said activation of the IMS was a proactive step given Lagos’ role as a major travel hub with three international points of entry.
He noted that the state is “largely ready,” with an isolation centre capable of handling 14–18 beds for both suspected and confirmed cases. Surveillance, infection prevention and control, and laboratory systems are in place, while the first round of training for frontline health workers begins immediately.
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Ogboye added that Ebola fact sheets and advisories have been validated for distribution to both public and private health facilities, ensuring doctors, nurses, and laboratory scientists remain on alert. He urged Lagos residents not to panic, assuring that control measures are in place.
He, however, advised strict hand hygiene, environmental sanitation, and early reporting of suspected cases, particularly among travellers from outbreak regions. Anyone with fever, sore throat, or malaria-like symptoms who has recently travelled to affected regions should be reported immediately to 767 or 112.
Also, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the Officer-in-Charge of Port Health Services, Dr. Abdullahi Lawal, confirmed that enhanced surveillance and infection prevention measures are underway.
He explained that although there are no direct flights from the DRC to Nigeria, travellers from neighbouring countries such as Rwanda are under close monitoring, with high-risk passengers subjected to additional screening on arrival.
