Despite last month’s declaration that Nigeria no longer had any case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), the World Health Organisation (WHO) says Nigeria can’t be officially designated Ebola-free until October 20.
WHO country representative, Dr Ruiz Vaz, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja at a meeting medical experts convened to discuss ways of finding effective treatment for Ebola and reviewing available treatment options for the disease.
Vaz said Nigeria will have to wait until October 20 (after the 42-day follow up period) to be certified free of the virus.
“After the 42-day followup period, if there are no new cases, WHO will confirm Nigeria Ebola-free,” he said.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, speaking at the meeting, Professor Innocent Ujah, co-chairman of the Treatment Research Group (TRG) on Ebola, which was inaugurated on August 4 by health minister, disclosed that the group had reviewed several treatment options, and verified and vetted all suggestions made to the health minister as possible medical counter-measures for the management of the disease.
Ujah stated that TRG had successfully served as a gatekeeper to sieve through various claims of treatment and cure for Ebola.
“To date, TRG has identified and recommended to the federal government three experimental vaccines for further clinical evaluation, as well as a candidate treatment drug as low-hanging fruits to improve management and control of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria,” he said.
Advertisement
He further said that the high level experts’ meeting was expected to provide a platform to review current national efforts and available resources, facilitate discourse and develop a roadmap for research on Ebola and other emerging diseases.
Members of TRG on Ebola are: Prof KS Gamaniel, Prof Maurice Iwu, Professor A Nasidi, Dr NS Gwarzo, Dr B Okoeguale and Dr Ansa Ogu.
