The Oyo State Government has assured residents of its preparedness to prevent, detect and respond effectively to any potential outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease, following renewed concerns over reported cases in parts of Africa.

The assurance came on Thursday as health authorities confirmed that no case of Ebola has been recorded in the state or anywhere in Nigeria.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, said the state was closely monitoring global and regional developments, particularly recent outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, while strengthening its public health systems to ensure early detection and rapid response.

According to a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, in Ibadan, the Makinde administration has activated key preparedness mechanisms across all levels of the state’s health system.

Ajetunmobi said surveillance activities had been intensified across the 33 local government areas of the state, with health facilities placed on heightened alert to promptly identify and report suspected cases.

She added that Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers, Rapid Response Teams, laboratories and other emergency response structures had been mobilised to ensure swift intervention if necessary.

The commissioner further disclosed that the Ebola Virus Disease Technical Working Group had been reactivated, with all response pillars strengthened as part of the state’s contingency plan.

She urged healthcare workers, traditional and religious leaders, and residents to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases presenting symptoms such as sudden fever, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea, or unexplained bleeding, especially where there is a history of travel to affected regions.

While stressing that there is no cause for alarm, Ajetunmobi said preparedness remains the most effective defence against infectious disease outbreaks.

She also assured that the state government would continue to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organisation, and other partners to safeguard public health.

Residents were urged to remain calm, observe hygiene practices and support ongoing public health efforts aimed at preventing any potential outbreak in the state.