The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has called on governors across the 36 states to allocate adequate funding for health workers as part of measures to prevent the entry of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) into Nigeria. This appeal comes amid concerns over the resurgence of this strain in parts of Africa.
Oyo State Assures Preparedness
In response, the Oyo State Government has assured residents of its readiness to prevent, detect, and respond effectively to any potential Ebola outbreak. The assurance was given by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, who confirmed that no case of Ebola has been recorded in the state or anywhere in the country.
According to a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, in Ibadan, the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde has activated key preparedness mechanisms across all levels of the state's health system. Surveillance activities have been intensified across all 33 local councils, with health facilities placed on heightened alert to promptly identify and report suspected cases.
NCDC Director-General's Appeal
NCDC Director-General Dr Jide Idris made the appeal at the third edition of the Adetokunbo Alakija Memorial Lecture and induction of new members into the Nigerian Society of Travel Medicine (NSTM) in Victoria Island, Lagos. He stated that while the Federal Government has implemented measures to prevent Ebola from spreading into the country, state governments need to do more in capacity building and funding interventions.
Measures already in place include strengthened monitoring and prevention efforts at airports, as well as contact tracing where necessary. Idris emphasized: “The idea is to prevent any case from entering the country, and this is one of the most practical ways to achieve that. Other government agencies are also collaborating, particularly in Lagos and at airport points of entry. Similar measures have been established at other international airports across the country.”
Support for Health Workers
Idris stressed the need to support health workers across the states, noting: “There is a need to support health workers across the states because they are key stakeholders in this response. The NCDC cannot carry the burden alone. State governments need to fund their personnel and provide the necessary infrastructure. We are engaging with them through the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and urging commissioners to push for stronger health sector support in their respective states. Some states are already making progress, but more advocacy is needed to ensure broader commitment.”
Travel Medicine and HIV Integration
Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the NSTM, Dr Patrick Chukwuma, explained that the association was established due to the realization that most viruses and diseases are spread through travel. Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the state recognizes its vulnerability to disease due to the high volume of air travel activities daily.
In her keynote address titled “From Prevention to Protection: Integrating HIV into Nigeria’s Travel Health Architecture”, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Temitope Ilori, noted that Nigeria remains a country of concern in Africa’s HIV response. She stated that while significant progress has been made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, mobility can interrupt prevention, testing, and treatment access for migrants, traders, transport workers, students, pilgrims, and returning residents.
Public Health Advisory
Residents are urged to remain calm, observe hygiene practices, and support ongoing public health efforts to prevent potential outbreaks. The Oyo State Government continues to monitor global and regional developments, particularly recent outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, while strengthening its public health systems for early detection and rapid response.
