The Lagos State Government on Friday said two persons out of those who
had contact with Patrick Sawyer, the dead Liberian Ebola victim, have
manifested symptoms of fever.
Patrick Sawyer died of Ebola after arriving Lagos from Liberia
The Commissioner for Health, Jide Idris, made the disclosure when he
addressed journalists on the update of the country`s first Ebola case in Ikeja.
Mr. Idris said the two persons were among the 70 contacts being monitored
and investigated for any symptoms of the disease by the state government and
other partners.
The commissioner, who said the two cases were under observation, however
stressed that they did not test positive to the virus.
Mr. Idris said the state government would continue to monitor all contacts with
the victim until the end of the 21 incubation day period of the virus.
“Our Rapid Response Team is currently tracking all contacts of persons exposed
to the dead passenger with Ebola virus,” the commissioner said.
“The contact tracing team is following 70 contacts of the EVD case and linking
them to clinical support when needed.
“Two suspect cases had fever, they are under observation and so far have
tested negative to the virus.
“The monitoring of suspect cases will continue until the end of them period of
21 days from their exposure to the victim.”
The commissioner said an emergency operation centre had been activated in
Lagos by the state and its partners as part of efforts to check the threat of the
virus.
He added that the Federal Government had stepped up measures to screen
incoming passengers to Nigeria —through, airport, seaport and border crossing
— to identify any traveller with symptoms.
Mr. Idris said a deceased body was recently brought to Nigeria from Liberia,
explaining that the government was investigating if he died from Ebola.
The commissioner urged residents to collaborate with government in checking
the Ebola threat in the country by reporting suspected cases for government`s
intervention.
Saying diseases thrive well in dirty environments, Mr. Idris urged residents to
maintain clean body and environment to reduce the risk of the virus.
Also speaking, Abdul Salim Nasidi of the National Disease Control Centre said
although disease has no cure, it was treatable.
He warned members of the public against emphasizing that the virus had not
cure, saying it might discourage those with suspected cases from accessing
treatment.
Mr. Nasidi said the Federal Government was doing everything to check the
threat of the disease and urged citizens not to panic as no fresh case had been
discovered yet in the country.
(NAN)
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