Ebola in W/Africa a health risk to other states-WHO

Nigeria has recorded two new cases of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), bringing the total to nine confirmed cases of those suffering with the virus in the country. While the two cases were primary contacts of late Patrick Sawyer, the American Liberian who died of the disease, seven Nigerians who were also afflicted with the virus are receiving treatment in Lagos with 139 persons currently under surveillance.

As only one Nigerian, a nurse had died of the disease, case mortality rate of the virus in the country is put at 28. 6 percent with the husband and children of the diceased nurse said to be at large and sought for evaluation and quarantining, BusinessDay investigation reveal.

This case mortality figure by Nigeria comes as the World Health Organistion (WHO) said that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa constitutes an extraordinary event and a public health risk to other States.

Briefing newsment at Central Laboratory Centre, Yaba, Lagos, Onyebuchi Chukwu, minister of health, commended the World Health Organisation, United States Centre for Disease Control, United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Lagos State Ministry of Health and other country based experts for their technical expertise in halting the spread of the virus in the country.

Chukwu stated that the government is presently confronted with the challenge of getting voluntary health workers (doctors, pharmacists, security personel, etc.) to collaborate in handling patients in the isolation centres and other technical needs.