The Lagos State Government has intensified its preparedness efforts following Nigeria’s affirmation of an imported case of Ebola illness within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, assuring residents that the state is prepared to reply to any potential risk.
The Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, stated Lagos remained on “high alert and preparedness,” stressing that the federal government was treating the event as a precedence.
“Lagos is a gateway city with constant movement to and from Abuja, and we are treating this as a priority,” Abayomi stated in a press release posted on X on Friday.
He defined that the state’s Emergency Operations Centre, EOC, had been working proactively, with measures overlaying illness surveillance, isolation, laboratory testing, an infection prevention and management.
According to the commissioner, response groups are finishing up simulation workout routines to make sure that related personnel perceive their duties and are able to act when mandatory.
He added that the state’s isolation centre had been upgraded, whereas efforts had been underway to develop its capability. Training on an infection prevention and management can also be persevering with for healthcare employees in each private and non-private medical amenities.
Abayomi stated the federal government was establishing a streamlined laboratory testing course of designed to ship outcomes inside 24 hours.
He famous that screening procedures at airports and different factors of entry had been being strengthened in partnership with federal authorities. The state can also be upgrading digital illness surveillance to allow the well timed detection of suspected instances, contact tracing and speedy response.
The commissioner additional disclosed {that a} devoted Ebola Research Committee was reviewing the newest scientific proof on obtainable therapies and vaccines to tell the state’s response.
As a part of preventive measures, he urged residents to practise common handwashing with cleaning soap and water and keep away from contact with the blood or different physique fluids of sick folks.
Abayomi suggested anybody experiencing signs equivalent to fever, weak spot, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding, or who suspects attainable publicity to the illness, to keep away from self-medication and search steerage earlier than visiting a healthcare facility.
“If you develop fever, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding, or think you have been exposed, do not self-medicate. Call before visiting a health facility,” he stated.
He additionally urged healthcare employees to stay vigilant, receive sufferers’ journey histories the place acceptable and use appropriate private protecting tools when attending to suspected instances.
Residents who suspect an Ebola an infection or imagine they could have been uncovered can contact the Lagos emergency numbers, 112 or 767, or attain the Directorate of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health on 0802 316 9485.
Abayomi referred to as on residents to stay calm, train warning and procure details about the state of affairs solely from official communications issued by the Lagos State Ministry of Health.
