Ebola: Oyo Activates Disease Surveillance, Says No Confirmed Case

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, urged residents to remain calm and vigilant while adhering to recommended health and safety precautions.

Ajetunmobi disclosed this on Wednesday during an interview with journalists in her office, explaining that the Ministry of Health began preparations in June 2026 to strengthen the state’s readiness for possible outbreaks of Ebola and other infectious diseases, including diphtheria.

She said the ministry had adopted a One Health approach, involving collaboration with relevant stakeholders to strengthen disease surveillance, preparedness and response across the state’s 33 local government areas.

According to the commissioner, the ministry is working with the Ministries of Information, Agriculture and Environment, as well as the Epidemiology Unit of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, to improve coordination and ensure a timely response to potential public health threats.

As part of the preparedness measures, Ajetunmobi said disease surveillance units had been activated across the 33 local government areas, while Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials containing information on Ebola transmission, preventive measures and emergency contact numbers had been printed and distributed to health facilities.

She added that infection prevention and control measures had also been strengthened across healthcare facilities, with health workers directed to maintain a high index of suspicion for patients presenting with symptoms that could indicate Ebola infection.

The commissioner stressed the need for strict compliance with infection prevention and control protocols, including the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), to protect healthcare workers and prevent possible transmission within medical facilities.

On the symptoms of the disease, Ajetunmobi explained that the early signs of Ebola could resemble those of malaria, making prompt medical assessment important for people who develop symptoms after possible exposure.

She listed symptoms to watch for as 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.

According to her, the incubation period for Ebola Virus Disease ranges from two to 21 days.

She advised residents experiencing such symptoms to seek medical attention promptly rather than engage in self-medication or delay reporting their condition to health authorities.

On the state’s capacity to manage suspected infections, the commissioner said trained healthcare personnel, including laboratory teams responsible for sample collection and testing, were available to respond to any suspected case.

She also disclosed that the Infectious Disease Centre at Olodo had been prepared as part of the state’s response arrangements, reiterating that efforts to strengthen preparedness began in June.

Ajetunmobi said the ministry was intensifying public awareness and risk communication to ensure residents understood how the disease spreads, how to reduce their risk of infection and where to seek assistance.

She emphasised that effective containment would require coordinated action involving government agencies, healthcare workers, the media and communities, particularly in ensuring early detection, prompt reporting and compliance with public health guidance.

The commissioner reiterated that Oyo State had no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease, urging residents to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and cooperate with public health officials.

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

Residents were also warned against direct contact with the blood and other bodily fluids of suspected or confirmed Ebola patients, as well as materials that may have been contaminated.

Ajetunmobi urged anyone who develops symptoms consistent with the disease to contact a health facility or the appropriate public health authority immediately.

She said public cooperation, vigilance and adherence to official health advisories remained essential to protecting residents and preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

The state government advised residents who require assistance or wish to report a suspected case to contact the appropriate zonal emergency numbers.