THE Federal Government yesterday said it is collaborating with international agencies to prevent the spread of the Ebola Virus in the country. 

Government has concluded plans to hold a meeting with all airlines to ensure that necessary precautions are taken to avert the spread of the disease.

Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu and his Information counterpart disclosed this while briefing journalists Friday in Abuja. They said every step needed to control the possible spread of the virus has been taken by the Federal Ministry of Health, adding that in line with the World Health Organisation International Health Regulations and in keeping with international best practice, all ports of entry in Nigeria including the airports, seaports and land borders have been placed on Red Alert on the Virus. They added that while staff of the Federal Ministry of Health are positioned in all these locations.

 

Chukwu recalled that on July 22, 2014, the ministry was alerted on a suspected case of Ebola Virus disease in Lagos involving a 40- year-old man from Liberia who travelled from Monrovia to Nigeria on Asky Airline via Lome to Lagos and presented with fever, vomiting and diarrhoea on arrival at the airport. This made the Port Health Division of the Federal Ministry of Health to quickly isolate him and take him straight to the hospital, avoiding contact with the general public.

 

The minister explained that the patient was subjected to thorough medical evaluation where laboratory investigations were also carried out. His blood sample was taken to advance laboratory at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH)  which confirmed the diagnosis of Ebola Virus. He added that the result has since been corroborated by other laboratories outside Nigeria.

 

He noted that despite the urgent specialised nursing care provided for the patient, he died in the early hours of yesterday.

The minister observed that officials of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control as well as officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Health are working to decontaminate the body and dispose it through an appropriate and approved protocol for the disease.

 

He listed measures taken so far to include:

•All the passengers that the patient came in contact with him have been traced and are being investigated, adding that Active Surveillance has been stepped up.

•All government tertiary heath institutions in the country have been equipped to handle any emergency that may arise from the disease.

•Drugs and medical consumables are presently pre-positioned and the ministry is working with all the states of the federation, especially those with ports of entry to mitigate the situation. 

•Implored all citizens to be vigilant, ensure improved personal hygiene and also report any suspected case to the nearest medical facility.

 

Chukwu disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan on July 23, in order to ensure that right information is given to the public, set up a Presidential Committee chaired by the Minister of Information, with ministers of Health, Aviation and Agriculture as members. 

 

According to the minister, an emergency centre has been established and is coordinated by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) while Nigerians are implored to call the following numbers for further enquiries: 08023210923, And 08097979595, 07067352220, email address to [email protected] email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 

He urged Nigerians not to panic as every step needed to be taken to control the virus has been taken.