Nigeria Is Close To Defeating Ebola, 1 Confirmed Case Left

Nigeria is really close to getting rid of the deadly Ebola virus disease, as only one confirmed case remains in the country. This optimism was expressed by the Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, on August 26, 2014, Thursday.

PremiumTimes report that this message has been conveyed by the minister, who was represented by the spokesman, Dan Nwomeh, in a press statement released this afternoon.

Nigeria’s Health Minister Onyebuchi Chukwu addresses diplomatic envoys on the status of the Ebola disease control in Nigeria at the Foreign Affairs House in Abuja August 7, 2014. Photo: REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

Chukwu revealed that only one Ebola patient remained in isolation in Lagos, down from the 13 officially-confirmed cases in the country.
“She is stable but still on treatment at the Isolation ward in Lagos,” the statement read.

He also added that the authorities have been able to curtail Ebola spread across the nation. A total of 129 people were put under surveillance. The patients have completed the 21-day observation incubation period.

Ebola isolation centre in Lagos

“I wish to reassure Nigerians and indeed the global community that the government shall remain vigilant and will not relent as the government continues to work with her partners to ensure that the disease is kept out of the country,” Dr Chukwu concluded.
The EVD was imported to Nigeria 38 days ago, on July 20, 2014, by a Liberian-American Patrick Sawyer.

Mr. Sawyer, the index case, passed away on July 25, 2014. Unfortunately 12 more people, mainly health workers who treated him, have caught the virus.

Late Patrick Sawyer and wife Decontee

Four of those infected died, while seven have successfully recovered and were sent home. Last two of the nurses who had attended the ‘Ebola Man’ were discharged on Monday.