The Lagos State Government has activated the Incident Management Structure (IMS) under its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) to guard against any possible outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
This decision was taken after an emergency PHEOC meeting held on Tuesday, September 9, at Mainland Hospital, Yaba. The meeting followed reports of fresh Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers, have been recorded.
Speaking after the meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye—represented by Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam—said the move was a proactive step because Lagos is a major travel hub with three international entry points.
He explained that the state is “largely ready,” with an isolation centre equipped to take 14–18 beds for both suspected and confirmed cases. Systems for surveillance, infection prevention, control, and laboratory testing are also in place. In addition, training for frontline health workers will begin immediately.
Ogboye added that Ebola fact sheets and advisories have been approved for distribution to public and private hospitals so that doctors, nurses, and laboratory scientists remain vigilant. He urged Lagos residents not to panic, assuring them that proper control measures have been set up.
He, however, advised strict handwashing, proper environmental sanitation, and early reporting of suspected cases, especially among travelers from outbreak areas. Anyone with fever, sore throat, or malaria-like symptoms who has recently travelled to affected countries should call 767 or 112 immediately.
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the Officer-in-Charge of Port Health Services, Dr. Abdullahi Lawal, confirmed that stronger surveillance and infection prevention measures are already in place.
He clarified that while there are no direct flights from DRC to Nigeria, travelers from neighboring countries such as Rwanda are being closely monitored, with high-risk passengers subjected to additional checks on arrival.
