The Lagos State authorities says it has stepped up preparedness measures and is prepared to respond following Nigeria’s affirmation of an imported case of Ebola illness within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, stated Lagos stays on “high alert and preparedness” and is treating the state of affairs as a precedence.
“Lagos is a gateway city with constant movement to and from Abuja, and we are treating this as a priority,” Mr Abayomi stated in a press release posted on X on Friday.
He stated the state’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) had been working forward of the affirmation, with measures being put in place throughout surveillance, isolation, laboratory testing, an infection prevention and management.
‘Lagos is prepared’
Mr Abayomi stated response groups are conducting simulation workouts to make sure that responders perceive their roles earlier than they’re wanted.
He stated the state’s isolation centre has additionally been upgraded, whereas further capability is being developed.
He famous that coaching on an infection prevention and management is persevering with for well being staff throughout private and non-private well being amenities.
The commissioner stated Lagos is additionally establishing a transparent laboratory testing pathway, aiming to receive outcomes inside 24 hours.
He famous that screening at airports and different factors of entry is being strengthened in collaboration with federal authorities, whereas illness surveillance is being digitally enhanced on the state’s digital well being surveillance platform to help real-time detection, tracing and response.
A “dedicated Ebola Research Committee” is additionally reviewing the newest proof on therapy and vaccines to information the state’s choices.
Advice to residents
The commissioner urged residents to wash their arms often with cleaning soap and water and keep away from contact with the blood or physique fluids of anybody who is unwell.
He suggested anybody who develops fever, weak point, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding, or believes they might have been uncovered, not to self-medicate.
“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.
Mr Abayomi additionally urged well being staff to keep a excessive index of suspicion, ask about sufferers’ journey historical past and use applicable private protecting gear.
Residents can report suspected instances or doable publicity by way of “the Lagos emergency numbers, 112 or 767, or the Directorate of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health on 0802 316 9485.”
The commissioner urged residents to stay calm, keep alert and depend on official info from the Lagos State Ministry of Health.
Lagos’ 2014 expertise
The authorities’s preparedness comes towards the backdrop of Lagos’ expertise throughout Nigeria’s 2014 Ebola outbreak.
Patrick Sawyer, a Liberian diplomat contaminated with Ebola, arrived in Lagos on 20 July 2014. He was admitted to a personal hospital within the metropolis, the place the illness was subsequently confirmed.
Nigeria recorded 20 Ebola instances throughout the outbreak, together with eight deaths, earlier than the nation was declared freed from Ebola transmission on 20 October 2014 after 42 days with no new case.
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Nationwide response
The federal authorities continues to urge states to strengthen their response techniques.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, stated 21 states have up to date their Ebola response plans, whereas the remaining 15 states are being urged to expedite their preparedness and response mechanisms.
The authorities has additionally referred to as on healthcare amenities nationwide to strengthen an infection prevention and management, promptly establish and isolate suspected instances and report them to public well being authorities.
Nigeria at the moment has one confirmed imported Ebola case, whereas 44 contacts of the affected person are being monitored.
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