The Lagos State Government has launched a statewide emergency awareness initiative, codenamed “Operation Lagos BioShield,” as part of efforts to enhance disease surveillance and guard against the possible entry of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, into the state following fresh outbreaks reported in parts of East and Central Africa.
The announcement was made on Sunday by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, who assured residents that no case of Ebola has been recorded in Lagos or any part of Nigeria.
According to him, the campaign is a preventive measure designed to strengthen public preparedness and ensure the state remains ahead of any potential public health threat.
“This campaign is not a response to a crisis. It is a proactive measure to strengthen public awareness, preparedness and prevention,” Abayomi stated.
The commissioner explained that the heightened alert was prompted by recent outbreaks of the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. He noted that the strain currently has no widely available licensed vaccine or specific antiviral treatment.
Abayomi emphasised that prevention, early diagnosis, prompt isolation and supportive medical care remain the most effective strategies for containing the disease.
“Prevention, early detection, rapid isolation and supportive medical care remain our most effective tools,” he said.
He added that improving public understanding of Ebola would help reduce misinformation, panic and stigmatisation associated with the disease.
Providing further clarification, the commissioner explained that Ebola is not transmitted through casual contact but through direct
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