Addressing a joint Ministerial Press briefing of the Lagos State Ministry of Health and Federal Ministry of Health on development concerning the disease on Monday, the Commissioner for Health affirmed that there had only been one case of imported Ebola resulting in the death of a
Liberian diplomat in Lagos. Nigerians have been advised to be calm and not panic over the reported case of Ebola Virus in Lagos State, with an assurance that no Nigerian is infected with the virus.Dr Idris added that measures were taken after the death of the Liberian, which led to the demobilization of the private hospital where he was admitted and elimination of primary source of infection. “the decontamination process in all affected areas had commenced and the corpse of the victim has since been cremated, and the ash is awaiting further directives from the Liberian Embassy" said Dr Idris.
He emphasized that health authorities were being very proactive about the detection of the Ebola Virus in the Liberian, who was on his way to Calabar for a conference, by ensuring that all contacts were being actively followed. In terms of people that had contacts with the decease, Dr Idris explained that so far a total of 59 contacts was registered consisting of 44 hospital contacts comprising of 38 healthcare workers and six laboratory staff, and 15 Airport contacts comprising 3 ECOWAS staff-driver, Liaison, and Protocol officers, Nigerian Ambassador to Monrovia, two nursing staff and five Airport passenger handlers.20 contacts had been physically screened of which 50 per cent were of the type one contact and another 50 per cent had type two contacts he further explained.
Professor Oyewale Tomori who is the President of the Nigerian Academy of Science and also at the briefing added that all those who came in contact with the Liberian are being screened on a continuous basis to look for any possible signs of the disease and commended the timely action taken by the Lagos State Government and the private hospital adding that there is absolutely no need for people to panic as the golden rule is to observe the personal hygiene of always washing the hands regularly with soap. So no cause for alarm Nigeria.
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