Ogun State has strengthened its disease surveillance and emergency preparedness measures following the Federal Government’s announcement of an Ebola outbreak in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), assuring residents that no case has been recorded in the state as of October 21, 2026.
Key Highlights
- Ogun says no Ebola case has been recorded in the state as of October 21, 2026.
- 111 persons of interest monitored and discharged after completing surveillance.
- State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre coordinating the response.
- Health workers told to keep a high index of suspicion and isolate suspected cases.
- Residents can call the State Epidemiologist on 08084250881 or NCDC on 6232.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, urging residents to remain vigilant, follow preventive measures and avoid panic or the circulation of unverified information.
Coker said Ogun has heightened its level of alert since Ebola was declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in March 2026.
According to her, 111 persons of interest, including passengers arriving from high-risk countries, have been identified and monitored before being discharged from follow-up after completing the required surveillance period.
She said the state’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre is coordinating preparedness and response efforts to ensure that suspected cases could be identified, reported and managed promptly.
The commissioner added that the state government has strengthened the capacity of disease surveillance and notification officers, port health officers, health educators, clinicians and community informants through training on appropriate response procedures.
She said relevant national guidelines and response protocols had also been adapted for use in the state, while public awareness campaigns and infection prevention measures in healthcare facilities were being intensified.
Symptoms And How Ebola Spreads
Coker explained that Ebola is a serious disease that can cause severe illness and death, with early symptoms sometimes resembling those of other common illnesses.
The symptoms include fever, severe weakness, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Unexplained bleeding or bruising may also occur in some cases.
She noted that symptoms could develop between two and 21 days after exposure, but cautioned that experiencing these signs did not automatically mean a person had contracted Ebola.
However, she advised anyone with possible exposure or a history of travel to a high-risk area to seek prompt professional assessment.
The commissioner said Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person who has developed symptoms, the body of someone who has died from the disease, or objects contaminated with infected bodily fluids.
Advice To Residents
She urged residents to wash their hands frequently with soap and running water and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser when these were unavailable.
Residents were also advised to avoid contact with the blood and body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola and refrain from sharing potentially contaminated items such as needles and razors.
Coker urged anyone who believed they might have been exposed to the virus to contact public health authorities immediately rather than wait for symptoms to appear.
Those who develop symptoms after possible exposure should minimise close contact with others and notify public health authorities before visiting a healthcare facility to ensure safe referral to an appropriate centre.
She also called on residents to cooperate with surveillance teams, provide accurate information when contacted by health officials and follow public health guidance.
The commissioner warned against touching the bodies of people who die from suspected or confirmed Ebola, stressing that trained teams should handle safe and dignified burials.
She further cautioned against spreading rumours, discriminating against people or stigmatising communities, urging the public to rely on verified health information.
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Coker said the state government would continue working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and other partners to monitor developments and protect public health.
She also directed healthcare workers in public and private facilities to maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, follow strict infection prevention and control procedures, and immediately notify surveillance teams through Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers in their local government areas.
The commissioner provided 08084250881 as the contact number for the State Epidemiologist and 6232, the NCDC toll-free line, for reporting suspected cases and seeking public health guidance.
She emphasised that early detection, prompt reporting and cooperation among residents, healthcare workers and public health authorities were essential to preventing the spread of Ebola.
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