The Ogun State Government has intensified surveillance and preparedness measures following the Federal Government’s announcement of an Ebola case within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), assuring residents that no case had been recorded within the state as of 21 October, 2026.
The authorities urged residents to stay vigilant, observe preventive measures and keep away from panic or the unfold of unverified data.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, disclosed this in an announcement on Wednesday, noting that Ogun had been on heightened alert for the reason that declaration of Ebola within the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in March 2026.
According to her, 111 individuals of curiosity, comprising passengers from high-risk nations, had been recognized, monitored and subsequently discharged from follow-up after finishing the required surveillance interval.
Coker stated the state’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre was coordinating preparedness and response actions to make sure the immediate identification, reporting and administration of any suspected case.
She added that the federal government had strengthened the capability of Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers, port well being officers, well being educators, clinicians and neighborhood informants by coaching on acceptable response procedures.
The commissioner stated related nationwide pointers, protocols and useful resource supplies had been tailored and deployed to information the state’s response, whereas public sensitisation and an infection prevention and management measures in healthcare amenities have been being intensified.
She urged residents to stay calm and procure data from official public well being authorities.
Coker defined that Ebola is a severe illness that may trigger extreme sickness and dying, noting that its early signs might resemble these of different widespread sicknesses.
She listed the signs to incorporate fever, extreme weak point, fatigue, headache, muscle ache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea and belly ache. Unexplained bleeding or bruising may additionally happen in some instances.
According to her, signs can develop between two and 21 days after publicity. She burdened, nonetheless, that experiencing these signs doesn’t robotically imply an individual has Ebola, though immediate skilled evaluation is crucial, notably the place there was attainable publicity or journey to a high-risk space.
The commissioner defined that Ebola spreads by direct contact with the blood or physique fluids of an contaminated one who has developed signs, the physique of somebody who has died from the illness, or supplies contaminated with such fluids.
She suggested residents to scrub their fingers repeatedly with cleaning soap and operating water and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser when cleaning soap and water are unavailable.
Residents have been additionally cautioned towards contact with the blood and physique fluids of anybody suspected of getting the illness and sharing needles, razors or different objects that may very well be contaminated.
Coker urged anybody who might need been uncovered to Ebola to contact public well being authorities promptly with out ready for signs to develop.
She additional suggested anybody who develops signs after attainable publicity to keep away from shut contact with others and call public well being authorities earlier than visiting a healthcare facility, to allow protected referral to an acceptable medical centre.
The commissioner additionally referred to as on residents to cooperate with surveillance and follow-up groups, present correct data when contacted by public well being officers and adjust to the steerage issued.
She warned towards touching the our bodies of people that die from suspected or confirmed Ebola, stressing that protected and dignified burials have to be dealt with by skilled groups.
Coker additionally cautioned towards rumours, discrimination and stigmatisation, urging residents to share solely data from verified public well being sources.
She stated the Ogun State Government would proceed to work with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and different related companions to observe developments and implement acceptable measures to guard public well being.
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The commissioner referred to as on healthcare staff in private and non-private amenities to take care of a excessive index of suspicion, promptly establish and isolate suspected instances, observe strict an infection prevention and management protocols, and instantly notify the state surveillance crew by the Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers of their respective native authorities areas.
She supplied the contact variety of the State Epidemiologist as 08084250881 and the NCDC toll-free line as 6232 for reporting suspected instances and acquiring public well being steerage.
Coker emphasised that early detection, well timed reporting and cooperation amongst residents, healthcare staff and public well being authorities have been important to stopping the unfold of the illness.
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