Ebola: Lagos Steps Up Preparedness as Outbreak Expands in DR Congo

• The Lagos State Government has intensified preparedness measures against a possible outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease as health authorities monitor the expanding outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Health Commissioner Akin Abayomi inspected the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, to assess its infrastructure, diagnostic capacity and clinical support systems for a rapid emergency response.

• The assessment covered the Emergency Operations Center, laboratory equipment, oxygen supply infrastructure, triage and isolation areas, as well as ongoing external works at the facility.

• The government identified immediate maintenance needs at critical sections of the hospital, including the EOC, biobank, pharmacy, catering facilities and drainage networks, to strengthen biosafety and patient care.

September 01, () — The Lagos State Government has intensified preparedness for a possible Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak as health authorities step up vigilance following the expanding Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has become the country’s largest Ebola outbreak on record.

Government figures showed that the outbreak had recorded 6,041 confirmed cases and 2,911 deaths as of August 31, surpassing the previous worst Ebola outbreak in the DRC, which lasted from 2018 to 2020.

The outbreak has affected six of the DRC’s 26 provinces, with Ituri Province in the northeast remaining the epicentre. As of August 26, the province had recorded 4,802 confirmed cases, accounting for a substantial proportion of the cases recorded across the country.

The scale of the outbreak has heightened concerns over the need for strengthened preparedness and surveillance in countries with significant international travel links, including Nigeria.

Against this backdrop, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, on Tuesday conducted a strategic assessment of the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), popularly known as Mainland Hospital, Yaba.

Abayomi said the inspection was part of efforts by the Lagos State Ministry of Health to strengthen the state’s health security system and ensure that critical facilities are fully prepared to respond rapidly to any high-consequence disease outbreak.

According to him, the assessment focused on critical infrastructure, diagnostic capacity and clinical support systems required for the effective detection, isolation, management and containment of infectious diseases.

The commissioner conducted the inspection alongside the hospital’s Medical Director, Dr. Adejumo, and other key members of staff.

During the exercise, the officials inspected the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), laboratory equipment, oxygen supply infrastructure, triage and isolation areas, as well as ongoing external site works.

Abayomi said the inspection was necessary to ensure that the facility could operate seamlessly in the event of a high-consequence infectious disease outbreak.

“We thoroughly inspected the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), laboratory equipment, oxygen supply infrastructure, triage and isolation areas, and external site works to ensure seamless functionality during a high-consequence outbreak,” he said.

The commissioner disclosed that the assessment identified immediate maintenance requirements in several critical areas of the hospital. He listed the areas as the EOC, biobank, pharmacy, catering facilities and drainage networks.

Abayomi said addressing the identified maintenance needs would help sustain biosafety standards and ensure that the hospital remains capable of providing adequate care to patients during a public health emergency.

He stressed that the inspection formed part of broader efforts to fortify Lagos State’s health security architecture and improve its capacity to respond to emerging and re-emerging public health threats.

“The Ministry remains committed to fortifying Lagos State’s health security architecture and maintaining maximum operational readiness to safeguard public health,” he stated.

Background

Ebola Virus Disease is a severe viral illness that can spread through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person or animal.

Rapid detection, isolation, contact tracing and strict infection prevention and control measures are critical to preventing transmission.

The latest outbreak in the DRC has assumed a significant scale, with more than 6,000 confirmed cases and nearly 3,000 deaths recorded as of August 31.

It has spread across six of the country’s 26 provinces, with Ituri remaining the worst-affected area.

The current outbreak has now surpassed the previous record-setting Ebola outbreak in the DRC, which occurred between 2018 and 2020, prompting intensified response efforts and heightened vigilance beyond the affected areas.