TheCable

Health minister, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, says there is only one case of Ebola disease in Nigeria now.

He announced on Tuesday that the disease has been successfully contained, although “not eliminated”.

Responding to TheCable’s question, the minister said that the disease had been successfully restricted to Lagos, adding that of only one person was positive of the virus “as of today”.

“As of today, Nigeria has 13 cases of Ebola virus disease. That is including the index case- the late Liberian-American Patrick Sawyer,” Chukwu said.

“Five did not survive, however two more Nigerian patients have been discharged. Both of them health workers, were discharged yesterday. This brings the number of those discharged now to seven.

“As I speak to you Nigeria has only one case of Ebola virus.

“This is thus far an indication that  Nigeria has contained the virus.”

He also disclosed that 129 people who had contact with people who had direct contact with Patrick Sawyer (the Liberian- American who brought the disease into the country) under surveillance for Ebola had been found not to have the deadly virus.

“The 129 people under surveillance have completed the 21 days incubation period of the disease without developing symptoms. However, there are still 128 secondary contacts under surveillance,” Chukwu said.

He assured Nigerians that the government would do its best in protecting its citizens.