The Lagos State Government has intensified disease surveillance and emergency preparedness measures to prevent, detect and respond to any potential outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), following the confirmation of an imported case of the Bundibugyo strain of the virus in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The state government, however, has urged residents and visitors to remain calm, vigilant and adhere to recommended preventive measures, assuring them that there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola in Lagos State.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, gave the assurance in a statement issued on Sunday, October 25, 2026, explaining that the Ministry of Health was strengthening surveillance, public enlightenment and coordination with relevant agencies to ensure early detection and a prompt response to any suspected case.
Abayomi said the state, through the Directorate of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health, was intensifying disease monitoring and risk communication while strengthening collaboration with agencies operating at the state’s points of entry, particularly the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).
He said the measures were designed to enhance early identification of potential cases, facilitate the timely sharing of health information and ensure that appropriate response mechanisms could be activated without delay.
As part of the preparedness efforts, the ministry had conducted a strategic engagement and assessment at the international airport involving airport management, Port Health Services and other aviation and public health stakeholders.
According to the commissioner, the engagement focused on passenger screening, information sharing, infection prevention and control, and coordination of emergency response measures to minimise the risk of the virus entering and spreading within the state.
The government is also intensifying public enlightenment through educational materials explaining Ebola’s symptoms, modes of transmission and preventive measures, while encouraging residents to rely on verified information from official public health authorities.
Ebola Virus Disease is a severe and potentially fatal illness caused by viruses belonging to the Orthoebolavirus genus. The Bundibugyo virus is one of the viruses known to cause Ebola disease.
The disease spreads primarily through direct contact with the blood and other body fluids of an infected person who is showing symptoms, as well as contaminated materials and the bodies of people who have died from the infection. Transmission may also occur through contact with infected animals.
The commissioner advised residents to avoid contact with potentially infectious materials and refrain from spreading unverified reports that could cause unnecessary fear or confusion.
He explained that symptoms could develop between two and 21 days after exposure, with affected persons potentially experiencing fever, severe weakness, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
Unexplained bleeding or bruising may also occur in some cases, although these are not present in every patient.
Abayomi warned that the early symptoms of Ebola could resemble those of malaria and other common illnesses, making prompt medical assessment particularly important for anyone who had potentially been exposed to the virus.
He urged residents who develop symptoms after contact with a suspected or confirmed case, or following travel from an area reporting active transmission, to seek immediate medical guidance and disclose any relevant exposure or travel history to health professionals.
In line with Lagos State’s fever-management policy, the commissioner said anyone experiencing fever should undergo a malaria rapid diagnostic test before taking antimalarial medicines.
Where the test is negative, a healthcare professional should investigate other possible causes of the fever and determine the appropriate treatment, rather than assuming that the illness is malaria.
Residents were also advised to wash their hands regularly, avoid contact with the body fluids of sick persons, refrain from handling potentially contaminated materials and stay away from sick or dead wild animals.
Travellers arriving in Nigeria, particularly those coming from areas reporting Ebola transmission, were urged to cooperate with Port Health Services and other authorised officials, provide accurate travel and health information when requested, and comply with applicable public health instructions.
The commissioner further advised anyone who develops symptoms while travelling or after arrival in Nigeria to notify the appropriate health personnel promptly and seek guidance before visiting a healthcare facility, in order to minimise potential exposure to others.
Airlines and airport operators are also expected to maintain established public health protocols, while travellers were encouraged to consult official advisories from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for updated guidance.
Abayomi urged anyone who suspects exposure to Ebola, especially following contact with a suspected or confirmed case, to contact public health authorities immediately for instructions rather than visiting a healthcare facility without prior guidance.
He said suspected cases and relevant exposure concerns in Lagos could be reported through the state’s emergency numbers, 112 or 767, or directly to the Directorate of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health, on 0802 316 9485.
The commissioner assured residents that the state government would continue to monitor developments, strengthen surveillance and response readiness, maintain coordination with relevant stakeholders and provide verified updates as necessary.
He reiterated that public cooperation, early detection and prompt reporting remained critical to preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
“Residents are encouraged to remain calm, practise recommended preventive measures and follow official public health announcements,” the statement said, adding that early detection and prompt reporting could save lives.