TheCable

The student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun state, believed to have contracted Ebola has tested negative to the viral disease.

Multiple sources, including Dan Nwomeh, the special assistant on media and communications to the minister, confirmed to TheCable that results of two tests – one obtained on Wednesday and the other on Thursday – confirmed that the lady did not contract the virus as feared.

The female student had confessed having contact while in Port Harcourt with late Dr. Iyke Enemuo, who died of Ebola after treating a patient who left Lagos for the Rivers state capital.

After undergoing surveillance for 21 days, she was cleared free from the virus, but suspicions of Ebola were resuscitated when she took ill on Monday, exhibiting Ebola-like symptoms.

“The panic about her case were only because people knew she came form Port Harcourt and she had contact with the late doctor,” a course mate of the student in question told TheCable on phone on Thursday.

“I am glad that the results of both tests carried out on her are out, and they turned out negative.”

Dean, students affairs division of the university, Dr. (Mrs.) L. M. Durosinmi, also confirmed the development to TheCable.

“Yes. Tested negative to the two tests,” she wrote. “We thank God.”

The confirmations validate Wednesday’s claim by minister of health, Professsor Onyebuchi Chukwu, that there was no single current case of confirmed EVD in the country.