Another Suspected Case Of Ebola Virus In Nigeria as Man who helped dead Liberian from plane down with fever

The country may have recorded another case of Ebola as latest report has shown that the man who assisted late Mr. Patrick Sawyer, a Liberian who died of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Lagos, is now down with symptoms, suspected to be EVD.


A reliable source yesterday, confirmed receipt of a short message service (SMS) text that the person who aided Sawyer to move out of the plane is presenting symptoms, identifiable with EVD.
“In fact, I just got a text that the person who helped Sawyer, the Liberian, to get out of the air plane is down with a suspected case of Ebola. You can see we have to be very careful,” the source said.
He further said that the latest victim is among those who were being quarantined for having first contact with the victim (late Sawyer).

Meanwhile, Lagos state has said none of the 59 contacts is sick for now.
The special adviser to Lagos state Governor Babatunde Fashola on Public Health, Dr Adesina Yewande while reacting to the report said: “It is not true. We are doing routine surveillance, no one is sick.”

It would be recalled that the team of Federal Government and the Lagos State Government on Ebola had Monday in Lagos, confirmed that 59 persons had contact with the late Liberian that died of Ebola in Lagos among whom are hospital contacts (38 healthcare workers and six laboratory staff) and 15 Airport contacts comprising three ECOWAS staff – driver, Liason and Protocol officer, Nigerian Ambassador to Monrovia, two nursing staff and five airport passenger handlers.

Meanwhile, the Director – General of the Nigerian Institute Medical Research (NIMR) Professor Innocent Ujah has appealed to Nigerian government and good spirited Nigerians to support the institute in its quest to upgrade its Human Virology Laboratory, HVL, to appropriately conduct research into the disease.
Ujah who spoke during a Symposium to mark this year’s World Hepatitis Day in Lagos, said apart from conducting new research into the disease it would also help the institute to generate new information about the deadly virus.

“We must invest in health research if Nigeria must make any headway in quality healthcare,” he stressed.
Ujah who also commented on the steps taken by the institute since the outbreak of Ebola said “Ever before the first reported case of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria last week, our institute had instituted proactive measures by repositioning the Emergency Preparedness and Response Team and Research Group for national response, in case there is an outbreak in Nigeria. Our proactive strategy, in my opinion, has placed us in an advantaged position for national response.

“Right now, some of our staff are on training with the National Response Team at the Mainland Hospital, on the prevention and control of the disease, using internationally designed protocol.”
“We are intensifying research on Ebola in Nigeria.
Continuing, Ujah allaying fears that EVD was not an African issue, said because majority of the victims are Africans does not make it an African disease.
However, he noted “that most animals in Europe are under surveillance and are well taking care off. The reason we are victims is because these animals are also in Africa and not under surveillance. “but that does not make it African issue,” he added.

On how possible a person can be screened on Ebola, he said: It is difficult to hide the symptoms. Port authority need to be at alert. Travellers must consult their doctor at the port before departure. And no matter the measures put in place at the port, some people will still slip through.
Speaking on way out of the problems, he advised that hygiene is the solution and it is enough to save anyone from contracting the disease.
“People should embrace hand washing. The virus is very small but with hygienic life style one can still stay healthy.”