The state government strengthens disease monitoring, prepares emergency facilities and urges residents to report suspicious symptoms promptly.
The Oyo State Government has intensified measures to guard against a possible outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), activating disease surveillance systems and strengthening emergency response arrangements across the state's 33 local government areas.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, disclosed this on Wednesday during an interview with journalists in her office, assuring residents that no confirmed case of Ebola had been recorded in the state.
According to a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, on the state government's X account, the administration is taking proactive steps to improve its preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks and ensure a prompt response should a suspected case emerge.
Ajetunmobi urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, stressing the importance of observing recommended health precautions and reporting symptoms that could indicate an infection.
She explained that the Ministry of Health began preparations in June 2026 to strengthen the state's readiness to tackle potential outbreaks of Ebola and other infectious diseases, including diphtheria.
As part of the preparedness strategy, the government has adopted the One Health approach, bringing together relevant stakeholders to improve disease prevention, surveillance and emergency response. The collaboration involves the Ministries of Information, Agriculture and Environment, as well as the Epidemiology Unit of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
The commissioner said the partnership was designed to strengthen coordination and ensure effective monitoring and response mechanisms throughout the state.
She disclosed that disease surveillance units had been activated across the 33 local government areas, while Information, Education and Communication materials explaining Ebola transmission, preventive measures and emergency contacts had been distributed to health facilities.
The state government has also strengthened infection prevention and control measures in healthcare facilities, with health workers directed to maintain a high index of suspicion when attending to patients presenting symptoms consistent with the disease.
Ajetunmobi emphasised that strict compliance with infection prevention protocols, including the appropriate use of personal protective equipment, remained essential to protecting healthcare workers and preventing possible transmission within medical facilities.
Residents warned against ignoring symptoms
The commissioner cautioned residents against dismissing symptoms that might initially appear to be common illnesses, noting that the early signs of Ebola could resemble those of malaria.
She advised anyone experiencing sudden fever, severe headache, joint or muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, extreme tiredness, abdominal pain or unexplained bleeding to seek prompt medical attention.
According to her, the incubation period for Ebola Virus Disease ranges from two to 21 days, making vigilance and timely reporting important components of efforts to identify and contain suspected infections.
She urged residents who develop symptoms suggestive of Ebola to contact a health facility or the appropriate public health authority without delay rather than resorting to self-medication or ignoring their condition.
Infectious Disease Centre prepared
On the state's capacity to manage suspected cases, Ajetunmobi said trained healthcare personnel, including laboratory teams responsible for sample collection and testing, were available to support the emergency response.
She added that the Infectious Disease Centre at Olodo had been prepared as part of the government's arrangements for managing potential cases.
The ministry, she said, was also intensifying public awareness campaigns and risk communication to ensure residents understood the nature of the disease, how it could spread and the precautions required to reduce the risk of infection.
“The Government of Oyo State is taking proactive steps to ensure that the state is adequately prepared to respond to any potential outbreak,” she said.
Ajetunmobi reiterated that there was no confirmed Ebola case in Oyo State, while warning residents against spreading unverified information capable of causing unnecessary panic.
She advised the public to wash their hands regularly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitisers where appropriate. Residents were also cautioned against direct contact with the blood and other body fluids of suspected or confirmed Ebola patients, as well as materials that might have been contaminated.
The commissioner stressed that cooperation among government agencies, healthcare professionals, the media and local communities was vital to early detection, prompt reporting and effective containment of any potential outbreak.
Emergency contacts for suspected cases
Residents who require assistance or wish to report suspected cases can contact the designated emergency numbers for their respective zones:
Ibadan Zone
- 0803374205
- 08025245809
- 08033515158
- 07039531882
Ogbomoso Zone
- 08195531882
- 08024347856
Oyo Zone
- 08132407856
- 08033397856
Ibarapa Zone
- 08020325728
- 08020335728
Oke-Ogun Zone
- 09062433608
- 07067737410
The state government urged residents to remain alert, observe recommended preventive measures and report suspected cases promptly, assuring them that preparedness and coordinated action remained central to its efforts to protect public health.