Breaking: Ebola Goes Out Of Control As 21 Quarantined In Enugu - Fg
The Federal Government has confirmed further
spread of ebola virus in the country, saying 21
persons are being currently quarantined in enugu
State.
Information Minister Labaran Maku disclosed this
to State House journalists today after the Federal
Executive Council (fec) meeting chaired by
President Goodluck Jonathan.
He noted that the four-hour fec meeting was
devoted to discussions on the progress being
made in combating ebola in the country.
He said the government had so far traced 198
persons that had primary and secondary contacts
with Patrick Sawyer who brought the virus to
Nigeria from Liberia.
According to the minister, 177 of those persons
are in Lagos; while 21 are in enugu.
He said the 21 persons being quarantined in
enugu were those who had contacts with a female
nurse that had primary contact with Sawyer in
Lagos.
The minister explained that the nurse disobeyed
medical instructions and traveled to enugu.
He said: "All those who had primary contact (with
Sawyer) have been quarantined. Secondary
contacts have also been traced.
"So far, the number of people that have been
traced is 198. Out of this number, 177 are in
Lagos and have been traced. Some are in
quarantine, some are being monitored by health
specialists.
"21 persons in enugu are also being watched.
This is because one of the nurses that was
involved with the treatment of the index case
unfortunately, disobeyed medical instructions and
somehow traveled to enugu. All those who she
was in contact with, including her husband, are
under quarantine. The medical teams have been
able to trace all those who made contact with
her".
Maku said health workers had been deployed to
all the border units in the country, adding that "All
the entry points into this country and exit points,
we've port health workers that are working in our
airports and seaports. We're calling on citizens
specifically to cooperate. If health workers say
you've had contact with A,B,C, don't move to
anywhere, respect that judgment. It's very
important. In one or two cases where we've had
disobedience, we lost one of them and this one
now moved with it to another place (enugu).
"So, we are urging Nigerians, please to help us in
making sure that all these messages and appeals
we're making on you, we implement them".
Maku said in terms of possible treatment, the
Ministry of Health had set up a special committee
specifically to take claims from Nigerians who
believed they could help.
"And so far, we've had a lot of reports from
Nigerians at home and abroad who came forward
to say they've possibility of developing therapies
that could help in fighting the virus. There is no
cure so far anywhere in the world. Even the trial
drug in the US is still a trial drug, it has not been
established.
"One of the doctors and research experts that
came forward was Dr Simon Agwale who has
been one of the frontline global researchers on
developing vaccines for HIV and other viral
diseases. He also came forward and said he could
help, both in terms of working out to develop a
vaccine which he said he has started work on
between himself and his fellow experts in the US
and he said this is ongoing. The minister of
health has given support and directed him to the
committee. He also discussed the possibility of
certain therapies they can now use which could
be applied. And again, that's being discussed.
And once it's approved, it could be used".
The minister also disclosed that the United States
was yet to respond to the Nigeria's request for
trial drugs for the treatment of ebola victims.
"We are still hoping that the US will grant our
request for the trial drugs. So, our request is still
on course", he said.
According to him, Nigeria has responded to the
outbreak of ebola with the best international
standard by declaring emergency and putting
measures in place to prevent further spread.
He said only two of the 10 Nigerians who had so
far tested positive to the virus had died; while
others were still undergoing treatment.
"We've developed a communication plan under
implementation using traditional media---radio,
newspapers and TV--to educate citizens on Eboa.
Part of the measures is advocacy visits to groups,
road transport workers and owners in order to
sensitise Nigerians especially on the need for
strict hygienic measures. We're pleased with
cooperation from religious leaders. People no
longer place holy communion on people's
mouths. We've introduced laboratory screens at
worship centres. We're urging continued vigilance
at worship places.
"We're also pleading with people who've contact
with any known case to quickly report to health
centres to save other people's lives. The reason
for reporting doesn't mean you've contracted the
disease, it's just to keep you under observation.
Most people have survived because they reported
early enough and got quick intervention.
Efforts have been made to provide personal
protective equipment for health workers", he said.
The minister dismissed the claim that cases of
ebola had been reported in Abuja, saying "we
pray it doesn't happen".
He cautioned the media against unverified reports
which, he said could fuel anxiety and damage the
country's image.
Maku also warned those spreading rumours that
could endanger public health, saying they could
be traced and prosecuted.
