‘Nigeria is Far Better Prepared for the Bundibugyo Ebola Virus’

Nigeria, particularly Lagos State, is considered significantly better prepared to confront a potential outbreak of the Bundibugyo Ebola strain, according to Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam, Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health at the Lagos State Ministry of Health. In an interview, Dr. Abdus-Salam detailed his department's role as the state's early-warning system and primary defense against diseases. Lagos, with its vast population and status as a West African hub with international travel links, faces a constant risk of pathogen transmission. His department's work involves surveillance to detect unusual disease clusters, preparedness for rapid response, and biosecurity at border entry points, collaborating closely with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Dr. Abdus-Salam highlighted that the approach for all communicable diseases, including Lassa fever, cholera, and now Ebola, remains consistent: early detection, isolation, treatment, contact tracing, and community engagement. He stressed that a disease identified at one or two cases is manageable, whereas fifty cases constitute a crisis. The interview also touched upon the specific threat of the Bundibugyo Ebola strain, which differs from the Zaire strain responsible for the 2014 outbreak that claimed lives, including medical professionals in Nigeria. While acknowledging reports of hundreds of cases and dozens of deaths from the current outbreak spreading from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Uganda, Dr. Abdus-Salam assured that Nigeria's systems are robust. He explained the importance of recognizing symptoms and taking immediate steps if an individual is suspected of contracting the virus, emphasizing the need for vigilance and preparedness.

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In simple terms, my department is the State’s early-warning system and first organised line of defence against disease.