BY Fredrick Nwabufo
The ministry of health has confirmed that one more Nigerian has tested positive to Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), bringing the total number of cases of the virus in the country to 10.
Also, a total of 177 people – both primary and secondary contacts – are now under surveillance. Those initially under surveillance were 59 in number.
According to minister of health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, the latest victim is a married nurse, “and her husband has been placed under surveillance”.
“We have succeeded in identifying all the primary contacts”, Chukwu said, dousing the fears of Nigerians that the disease might have spiralled out of control.
“President Goodluck Jonathan approved the National Ebola Virus Disease Emergency Containment Plan with immediate cash backing of N1.9bn to further complement the containment efforts already in place.
“The federal government, through the federal ministry of health and its agencies, works very closely with the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local authorities and other international partners to further deepen and broaden these containment efforts.”
The minister lamented that Nigeria remained an Ebola virus-free country until Sawyer’s unfortunate introduction and contamination, but he assured that the country would continue to work with all stakeholders to contain the virus and explore other ways to develop drugs for Ebola victims.
“I wish to reiterate that the federal government of Nigeria shall continue to discharge its responsibilities within the sub region as we collectively confront and stop this outbreak of Ebola,” he said.
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