LASUTH Bolsters Ebola Prevention, Haros On PPE Usage
The Departments of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology and Community Medicine and Primary Health Care at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) used the June Grand Round on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, to sharpen the hospital’s Ebola prevention measures under the theme, “Strengthening Preparedness, Triage, and Protection in LASUTH Against Ebola Virus Disease.”
Speakers stressed that Ebola Virus Disease is highly lethal and can spread rapidly in healthcare settings, so prevention depends on robust infection prevention and control (IPC) systems. Dr. Bisola Adebayo, Consultant Community Physician and Primary Healthcare Specialist, outlined how the virus passes from infected animals (notably fruit bats) to people and then between people via direct contact with blood, body fluids, contaminated surfaces or equipment, and during corpse handling.
Dr. Adebayo highlighted practical prevention steps for frontline staff: strict adherence to IPC protocols, correct and consistent use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), regular environmental cleaning and disinfection, safe laboratory handling of specimens, and active monitoring of healthcare workers for early signs of illness.
She reminded staff that symptoms can appear between two and 21 days after exposure — including fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding — and urged immediate isolation and testing of suspected cases.
Consultant Medical Microbiologist Dr. Mutiu Bamidele called for a multidisciplinary Ebola Preparedness Committee to lead prevention activities, maintain and review Standard Operating Procedures, and organise ongoing staff training. He recommended frequent simulation exercises and mock drills to test triage, isolation, and the flow of suspected cases, and stressed the importance of strengthened surveillance to detect and contain cases early.
Triage, Dr. Bamidele said, is the first line of defence: effective screening at entry points enables early identification, immediate isolation, protection of staff and patients, and prevention of hospital-acquired transmission.
Prof. Adebowale O. Adekoya, Director of Clinical Services and Training and Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, praised the session for boosting staff readiness.
He reiterated the need for continuous sensitisation, leadership commitment, and routine training so LASUTH can prevent, detect, and respond swiftly to any Ebola threat.