The Oyo State Government has allayed fears of an Ebola outbreak in the state, assuring residents that no confirmed case of the disease has been recorded while activating emergency response arrangements.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, gave the assurance on Wednesday during an interview with newsmen in her office, urging residents to remain calm and observe recommended health precautions.
Ajetunmobi said the state began preparations in June 2026 to strengthen its readiness for potential outbreaks of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other infectious diseases, including diphtheria.
She said the Ministry of Health had activated disease surveillance units across the state’s 33 local government areas and was collaborating with relevant ministries and the Epidemiology Unit of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, to improve disease monitoring and response.
According to the commissioner, the collaboration involves the Ministries of Information, Agriculture and Environment under the One Health approach, which brings relevant sectors together to strengthen public health preparedness.
She added that information and educational materials on Ebola transmission, prevention and emergency contact numbers had been printed and distributed to health facilities across the state.
The commissioner said infection prevention and control measures had also been strengthened in healthcare facilities, with health workers advised to maintain a high level of suspicion for patients presenting symptoms suggestive of Ebola and to use appropriate personal protective equipment.
Ajetunmobi explained that early symptoms of Ebola could resemble those of malaria, listing sudden fever, severe headache, joint or muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, extreme tiredness, abdominal pain and unexplained bleeding from body openings among the symptoms residents should watch out for.
She said the incubation period for Ebola ranged from two to 21 days, advising anyone experiencing suspicious symptoms to seek prompt medical attention.
On the state’s response capacity, the commissioner said trained healthcare personnel, including laboratory teams responsible for sample collection and testing, were available to respond to suspected cases.
She also said the Infectious Disease Centre at Olodo was prepared as part of the state’s emergency response arrangements.
Ajetunmobi urged residents to wash their hands regularly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitisers, while avoiding direct contact with the blood and other body fluids of suspected or confirmed cases, as well as contaminated materials.
She warned against spreading unverified information about the disease, stressing that public cooperation, early reporting and adherence to official health advisories were essential to preventing and containing any potential outbreak.
Residents who need assistance or wish to report a suspected case can contact the following zonal emergency numbers provided by the state government:
Ibadan Zone
* 0803374205
* 08025245809
* 08033515158
* 07039531882
Ogbomoso Zone
* 08195531882
* 08024347856
Oyo Zone
* 08132407856
* 08033397856
Ibarapa Zone
* 08020325728
* 08020335728
Oke-Ogun Zone
* 09062433608
* 07067737410
The statement was signed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, on October 21, 2026.
