Nigerian Doctor Tests Positive for Ebola

One of the doctors who treated the Liberian Ebola patient who later died in Lagos has tested positive for Ebola Among those who had contact with the late Liberian on his way to Nigeria, 70 of them are currently under surveillance.
Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, while briefing the press in Abuja, on Monday, said the new case was as a result of the contact the said doctor had with the late Mr Patrick Sawyer at the Lagos hospital, where the Liberian was admitted from the airport.
“When we met last week, I told you that we were still monitoring some of the healthcare workers and passengers who came in contact with the American-Liberian who brought in Ebola to Nigeria. There were others who attended to him, some have developed symptoms of Ebola.One of the doctors have been diagnosed as having Ebola virus disease, in addition to the late Patrick Sawyer.” Professor Chukwu mentioned.
“Earlier last week, two different people had symptoms, but on testing, we found them negative. There were others whose samples were taken and this second case is among them and has been proved to be Ebola virus disease,” the minister said.
He said three others were under watch, adding that at the end of Monday, “we would know the outcome.”
The minister added that those who had contact with Mr Sawyer had been quarantined, while 70 of those who had contact with him were on surveillance.
“All of these persons are being quarantined in Lagos, where the state government has provided isolation rooms,” he added.
The minister added that the state, government was working with other states to strengthen isolation wards and emergency coordination of health workforce on Ebola around the borders.
Chukwu, who refused to disclose the name of the doctor, said “we will not give out the name of the doctor at this stage. There are other things we need to do before we give out the name.”
Speaking on corpses from Ebola infested countries for burial in Nigeria, Chukwu said the government’s ban on corpses from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone was still in force.
“In the case of Imo State, we have carried out the investigation and found out that there is a dead certificate and it was not an Ebola case, so we have asked the Commissioner of Health to go on with the burial. But for that of Anambra and Akwa Ibom states, investigation is still ongoing. They are still under watch,” he said.
Speaking on the possibility of bitter kola curing Ebola virus, Chukwu said “there was no scientific evidence over it.”
The minister also inaugurated the Treatment Research Group Committee on Ebola Virus Disease.
While inaugurating the committee on behalf of the Federal Government, Chukwu observed that Nigeria must get serious in the area of research, as a strategic way of taming the spread of the virus.
The committee has the Director-General of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Professor Karniyus Gamaniel and the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Professor Innocent Ujah, as co-chair.
Former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Maurice, Professor Andullraman Nasidi of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Sani Gwarzo; Director of Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Bridget Okoeguela and the Director of Health Planning and Research, Mrs A. Ogu, are members.