Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos State on Friday urged residents to observe Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) prevention measures while avoiding unnecessary panic.
The council chairmen gave the advice in separate awareness campaigns following the reported Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Oct. 20.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said the case involved a 44-year-old female traveller who arrived from Uganda.
The authorities said 44 contacts were under surveillance.
The council chairmen, however, assured residents that no Ebola case had been reported in Lagos State.
The Executive Chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA, Dr Agbaje Lukmon, urged residents to remain vigilant and observe necessary preventive measures.
Agbaje, in a precautionary alert, emphasised public awareness, personal hygiene and collective responsibility in safeguarding public health.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to public health awareness and collaboration with relevant health authorities.
The chairman added that the LCDA’s Medical Department, under the supervision of the Medical Officer of Health, remained on alert for surveillance and prompt reporting through its Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
Also, the Executive Chairman of Mosan-Okunola LCDA, Mrs Adunni Akindele, said her administration had activated health measures across the council area.
Akindele said she had directed the Department of Health and Environment and all PHCs to intensify surveillance, community sensitisation and hygiene protocols.
She said the measures covered markets, schools, motor parks and health facilities.
The chairman added that the council was working closely with the Lagos State Government, the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC to protect residents.
“Our health is our collective wealth. We have activated our health system. No panic, just precaution. Protect yourself, protect your family, protect Mosan-Okunola,” she said.
In Mushin Local Government Area, the Executive Chairman, Mr Tunbosun Aruwe, urged residents to avoid contact with dead or wild animals.
He also advised them against sharing personal items, including razors and needles, and urged them to maintain proper hand hygiene.
Aruwe cautioned residents against spreading rumours and unverified information, urging them to report suspected cases through official health channels.
Similarly, the Executive Chairman of Alimosho Local Government Area, Mr Johnson Akinpelu, described Ebola as a highly infectious and deadly disease that was preventable.
Akinpelu urged residents to wash their hands regularly with soap, maintain clean surroundings and avoid contact with the body fluids of sick persons.
He also warned against touching dead bodies without appropriate protective equipment.
The chairman said health officers had been placed on alert across all wards in the local government area.
The council chairmen advised residents experiencing symptoms such as high fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea or unusual bleeding to seek immediate medical attention.
They urged anyone with such symptoms to visit the nearest PHC or designated health facility and avoid self-medication and stigmatisation.
The chairmen also urged residents to rely on credible public health information and refrain from spreading unverified reports capable of causing panic.
They further advised residents to report suspected cases to the nearest PHC or call the NCDC toll-free line on 6232 for a 24-hour response.
Discussion0