Tribune Online Nigeria · সাধারণ

Ebola: Oyo govt activates emergency centres, says no confirmed case

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Oyo State Government has activated disease surveillance units across the 33 local government areas of the state and prepared emergency response centres to tackle any potential outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), declaring that no confirmed case has been recorded.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, disclosed this on Wednesday during an interview with journalists in her office, assuring residents that the government had put measures in place to prevent and contain any possible outbreak.

She urged residents to remain calm, observe recommended safety precautions, and avoid spreading unverified information about the disease.

“There is currently no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in Oyo State. We urge residents to remain calm, vigilant and cooperate with public health authorities,” the commissioner said.

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Ajetunmobi explained that the Ministry of Health began preparations in June 2026 to strengthen the state’s readiness for potential outbreaks of Ebola and other infectious diseases, including diphtheria.

She said the government had adopted the One Health approach, involving collaboration with the Ministries of Information, Agriculture and Environment, as well as the Epidemiology Unit of the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

According to her, the collaboration is aimed at strengthening disease surveillance, preparedness and response mechanisms across the state.

The commissioner added that surveillance units had been activated in all 33 local government areas, while Information, Education and Communication materials containing details of Ebola transmission, preventive measures and emergency contact numbers had been printed and distributed to health facilities.

She said infection prevention and control measures had also been strengthened in healthcare facilities, with health workers directed to maintain a high level of suspicion for patients presenting symptoms suggestive of Ebola.

Ajetunmobi stressed the need for healthcare workers to adhere strictly to infection prevention and control protocols, including the proper use of personal protective equipment.

On the symptoms of the disease, she warned that Ebola could initially present symptoms similar to malaria, making early medical attention important.

She listed the symptoms to include sudden fever, severe headache, joint or muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, extreme tiredness, abdominal pain and unexplained bleeding from body openings, including the nose, ears, eyes or vagina.

“The incubation period for Ebola Virus Disease ranges from two to 21 days. Residents who experience symptoms suggestive of the disease should seek prompt medical attention rather than resort to self-medication,” she said.

The commissioner assured residents that trained healthcare personnel, including laboratory teams responsible for sample collection and testing, were available to respond to suspected cases.

She also disclosed that the Infectious Disease Centre at Olodo had been prepared as part of the state’s response arrangements.

Ajetunmobi emphasised that the government was intensifying public awareness and risk communication to ensure that residents understood how to prevent the disease and report suspected cases.

She said effective containment would require a coordinated response involving government agencies, healthcare workers, the media and communities.

The commissioner advised residents to wash their hands regularly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitisers where appropriate.

She also warned against direct contact with the blood and other body fluids of suspected or confirmed cases, as well as materials that might have been contaminated.

Ajetunmobi urged anyone experiencing symptoms associated with Ebola to contact a health facility or the appropriate public health authority promptly.

She appealed to residents to remain vigilant without panicking, noting that public cooperation and adherence to official health advisories were essential to protecting the state.

Residents who need assistance or wish to report a suspected case were advised to contact the following zonal emergency numbers: