Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Samson Parker, said yesterday in Port Harcourt that the remains of those who died of the Ebola virus have been buried.

A medical doctor, Iyke Enemou and a patient who was admitted in the same clinic with the late doctor died of the Ebola virus.

Parker said the virus, which got into the state through Olu-Ibukun Koye, a Nigerian protocol officer with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is being “effectively managed”.  

He said the state government has covered about 98 per cent of the 360 people who had primary and secondary contacts with the late Dr Enemou.

He said the patient who was on admission at Good Heart Hospital, in Port Harcourt, where Dr. Enemou was admitted, died on Wednesday, from cardiological complications, having developed Ebola related symptoms.

He said another woman was admitted at the isolation centre at Edoha, on Wednesday, for “a probable case”, adding that result of the test conducted on her was being awaited.

“The death of the patient is deeply regretted and that is why we are saying that anyone who had primary or secondary contact with the late Dr. Enemou should quickly report themselves to our medical personnel or contact us through our dedicated help lines. Although, she was admitted at the Good Heart Hospital for cardiac challenges, after she developed feverish conditions, we were not notified on time. Our treatment centre at Edoha is very functional. We have about 40 doctors and nurses working at our treatment centre. We have also received encouragement and support from the private sector”, he said.

The commissioner, who dispelled rumours that the late Dr. Enemou’s wife who is currently being treated at the national treatment centre, in Lagos, is dead, said: “Dr. Enemou’s wife is fine and stable. She is still being treated at the national treatment centre in Lagos.”

 He assured that the state government was not having any problem with people currently under surveillance.

 “We have provided them with thermometers with which they can check and monitor the temperature as regularly as they possibly can. They are all being monitored by our medical experts,” he stated.