The Federal Government has disclosed that more Nigerians are likely to
test positive to the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, following the
confirmation of fresh cases of the disease in Port Harcourt, the Rivers
State capital, even as the Lagos State Government says it is in control
of the outbreak in Lagos.
Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi
Chukwu, who spoke in Abuja yesterday during the 2nd Emergency National
Council on Health Meeting on the outbreak of EVD in the country, said
the last may not have been heard about the EVD outbreak as contacts
currently under surveillance may come down with the disease.
“It
is expected that a few more contacts will develop the EVD, especially
in Rivers State before Nigeria will see the last case of EVD. While it
is encouraging that so far, all confirmed cases of EVD in Nigeria have
their roots in the index case, Mr. Patrick Sawyer, great vigilance is
required particularly at our ports of entry to ensure we do not have
cases of EVD from other sources other than Mr. Sawyer,” he remarked.
Chukwu,
who explained that the Federal Ministry of Health is awaiting report of
a repeat test being conducted on two health officials of the hospital
where the first Port Harcourt case, Dr. Ikechukwu Sam Enemuo, died of
EVD after successfully treating the ECOWAS official who imported the
virus into the state, however noted that the Incident Management
Committee had deployed a strong team to Rivers State to work with the
state government so that the situation can be effectively managed.
On
the ECOWAS Commission staff, Chukwu said: “He died from EVD. It was his
death that led to the investigation that revealed introduction of EVD
to Port Harcourt and the beginning of tracing of second and third degree
contacts in Port Harcourt. Arrangements are being made to decontaminate
the body in readiness for proper disposal of his remains. His death
brings to six the total number of persons who have died from EVD in
Nigeria.”
Updated summary of EVD in Nigeria
Giving an
update on the current status of the EVD outbreak, in the country, the
minister said: “The total number of confirmed EVD cases in Nigeria is 17
(including the index case). In Lagos, the total number managed is 14,
seven successfully managed and discharged; five deaths recorded and two
presently on treatment in isolation.
“In Port Harcourt one death,
a doctor who treated a secondary contact of Sawyer’s, has been recorded
(did not benefit from standard management); one patient under treatment
(no stand treatment) and patient fully recovered.
“Total number
of survivors in Nigeria (as of September 1, 2014) is 11; total number of
deaths in Nigeria (as of September 1, 2014) is six...Read More
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