Lagos is strengthening its Ebola readiness after an imported case was confirmed in Abuja, with Commissioner for Health Akin Abayomi citing regular travel between the cities as a reason for heightened attention, Premium Times reported.
Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare confirmed one case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Oct. 20. The patient, a woman who had recently arrived from Uganda, was receiving care in isolation at a private hospital. The World Health Organization (WHO) said she developed symptoms on Oct. 7, sought care in Abuja on Oct. 11 and tested positive for Bundibugyo virus on Oct. 20. WHO initially reported 44 contacts under monitoring as of Oct. 20.
In an Oct. 23 update, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation said some identified contacts had tested negative and results for others were pending. The ministry also said genomic analysis found the Nigerian virus related to one identified in a Kenyan case, while further investigation was needed to establish whether the cases were epidemiologically linked.
Premium Times said Abayomi’s Oct. 23 post on X described the travel between Lagos and Abuja as a reason to prioritize the response. Premium Times and TVC News also reported that the state was conducting response drills, expanding isolation capacity, coordinating airport screening with federal authorities and widening digital surveillance. The outlets said Lagos was developing a laboratory process with a target of returning results within 24 hours.
The Lagos State Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) says local surveillance is active and designated laboratories can run PCR tests. Its fact sheet lists the state’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre as on alert and Mainland Hospital in Yaba as ready for isolation. HEFAMAA also describes updated infection-control training and checks on protective-equipment supplies.
WHO says there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo virus disease. Nigeria’s 2014 Ebola outbreak involved 20 cases, including eight deaths. On Oct. 20, 2014, WHO said Nigeria had gone 42 days without a new Ebola case and was free of transmission. The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention planned to begin short daily public updates on Oct. 24.
