The Lagos State Government has launched a statewide Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) awareness campaign, codenamed Operation Lagos BioShield. The initiative is designed to shield residents from the deadly virus amid fresh outbreaks in East and Central Africa.
Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, announced the campaign over the weekend. He assured residents that there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola in Lagos or anywhere in Nigeria.
“This campaign is not a response to a crisis. It is a proactive measure to strengthen public awareness, preparedness, and prevention,” Abayomi said.
Abayomi explained that the outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda involve the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. This variant has no widely available licensed vaccine or specific antiviral treatment.
He warned that prevention and early detection remain critical. “Prevention, early detection, rapid isolation, and supportive medical care remain our most effective tools,” he stated.
He clarified that Ebola is not spread through casual social contact. Instead, it transmits via direct contact with blood, bodily fluids, or contaminated materials of an infected person showing symptoms.
The commissioner said accurate information would help curb stigma and misinformation. He stressed that awareness was essential to prevent panic and limit risks.
Collaboration And Public Engagement
Abayomi described Lagos as a major transport and economic hub with extensive air, land, and maritime connections. He said those links make vigilance imperative, especially as neighbouring regions battle active outbreaks.
He revealed that the Federal Government and Lagos State are working with aviation, maritime, border health, and public health authorities to strengthen surveillance and screening at entry points.
He added that health authorities will intensify enlightenment campaigns across communities, schools, workplaces, and homes. These will cover symptoms, prevention, reporting channels, and safety guidelines.
Travellers returning from affected countries were advised to remain alert. “If you develop fever, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding, contact emergency lines 112 or 767, or reach the state epidemiologist,” he said.
Abayomi recalled Lagos’ successful containment of Ebola in 2014. He said decisive leadership, effective surveillance, rapid response, and cooperation from residents and healthcare workers protected millions of lives.
Reaffirming readiness, he declared: “Today, we remain prepared, vigilant, and committed to safeguarding the health of every Lagosian. Together, we will keep Lagos safe.”
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