Management of Foodborne Disease Outbreaks in Urban Food Establishments in Lagos State

Foodborne disease outbreaks in urban food establishments represent a recurring public health emergency in Nigeria, often managed without systematic protocols. This study examined the management of foodborne disease outbreaks reported in food establishments in Lagos State, South West Nigeria, over a five-year period from 2019 to 2023. A retrospective analysis of outbreak investigation reports held by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and the Lagos State Ministry of Health was conducted, supplemented by structured interviews with 20 environmental health officers and veterinary public health officials. Variables examined included outbreak detection timeliness, causative agents identified, investigation methodologies applied, and control measures implemented. Findings showed that the median time from outbreak report to formal investigation was six days, exceeding the internationally recommended 48-hour target. Microbiological confirmation of causative agents was documented in only 35% of outbreak records. Control measures were predominantly reactive, focusing on temporary establishment closure rather than corrective action and follow-up. Gaps in interagency communication between veterinary and human health departments were identified as a critical bottleneck. The study concludes that outbreak management capacity in Lagos food establishments is inadequate and that a more systematic, protocol-driven approach grounded in One Health principles is needed. Recommendations include development of a state-level foodborne outbreak response protocol, training of multidisciplinary rapid response teams, and establishment of a dedicated food safety surveillance database. Keywords: foodborne outbreak, outbreak management, food establishments, Lagos State, One Health