Ogun State Boosts Surveillance After Ebola Case in Abuja

The Ogun State Government is stepping up its monitoring and preparedness efforts. This comes after the Federal Government reported an Ebola case in Abuja on October 21, 2026. The state government assures residents that no cases have been found in Ogun so far.

Officials are urging residents to stay alert, follow preventive measures, and avoid spreading false information.

Dr Tomi Coker, the Commissioner for Health, shared this information in a statement on Wednesday. She mentioned that Ogun has been on high alert since the Ebola outbreak started in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in March 2026.

The state has identified and monitored 111 people who traveled from high-risk countries. These individuals have since completed their monitoring and have been discharged.

Coker explained that the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre in Ogun is handling the state's readiness and response. This ensures that any suspected cases are identified, reported, and managed quickly.

The government has also improved the training of Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers, port health officers, health educators, clinicians, and community informants to respond effectively.

She mentioned that Ogun has adapted and deployed national guidelines and resources to support its response. Public awareness and infection control measures in healthcare facilities are also being stepped up.

Coker encouraged residents to stay calm and get information from official health sources.

She described Ebola as a serious illness that can lead to severe health issues and even death. The initial symptoms can look like other common diseases.

Symptoms include fever, extreme tiredness, headaches, body aches, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. In some cases, there can be unexplained bleeding or bruising.

Symptoms may show up between two and 21 days after exposure. Coker stressed that just having these symptoms does not mean someone has Ebola. Early professional evaluation is important, especially if there has been possible exposure or travel to a high-risk area.

Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a sick person or someone who has died of the disease. It can also spread through contaminated materials.

Residents are advised to wash their hands often with soap and running water. If those are not available, they should use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

People should avoid contact with the blood and body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola. Sharing needles, razors, or other items that might be contaminated is also risky.

Coker urged anyone who thinks they have been exposed to Ebola to contact health authorities quickly. They should not wait for symptoms to appear.

Anyone who develops symptoms after potential exposure should keep away from others and inform health authorities before going to a hospital. This helps ensure safe referrals to the right medical facility.

Coker also asked residents to work with surveillance teams, provide accurate information to health officials, and follow given instructions.

She warned against touching the bodies of people who die from suspected or confirmed Ebola. Safe burial practices must be done by trained teams.

Coker urged the public to avoid rumors, discrimination, and stigma. She said to only share information from trusted health sources.

The Ogun State Government will keep working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, and other partners to monitor the situation and take the right actions to protect public health.

Coker called on healthcare workers in both public and private facilities to stay alert. They should quickly recognize and isolate suspected cases, follow strict infection prevention protocols, and notify the state surveillance team through their local Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers.

For reporting suspected cases or getting public health advice, residents can contact the State Epidemiologist at 08084250881 or use the NCDC toll-free line at 6232. Coker stressed that early detection, quick reporting, and cooperation among residents, health workers, and public health authorities are key to stopping the spread of the disease.