It is exactly a year that Patrick Oliver Sawyer (1974 – 24
July 2014), a deceased Liberian-American lawyer
introduced the deadly Ebola Virus disease into Nigeria
during the West African Ebola epidemic.
Sawyer who was a naturalized U.S. citizen lived in Coon
Rapids, Minnesota, was 40 at the time of his death.
As Nigeria marks a year of battling Ebola, we compiled 10
facts on Sawyer’s historical to Nigeria you mustn’t
forget…

10 Facts your mustn’t forget about Sawyer

1. On 9 July 2014, Sawyer informed ArcelorMittal
management at the Buchanan office that he had been
exposed to the Ebola Virus. They referred his case to the
Liberian Ministry of Health for observation. They
requested that he not return to the offices for 28 days.

2. However, Sawyer utilized an upcoming conference in
Calabar, Nigeria to petition the Liberian Finance Ministry
to attend as an “ambassador”. His departure was
approved.

3. On 20 July 2014- Sawyer flew via ASKY Airline from
James Spriggs PayneAirport in Monrovia, Liberia to
Murtala Muhammad Airport in Lagos, Nigeria and was
subsequently described as having appeared to be
“terribly ill” when he left Monrovia.

4. He collapsed upon arriving at Lagos Murtala
Muhammed International Airport.

5. Patrick Sawyer was taken to First Consultant Hospital
in Obalende, where he later died on 24 July.

6. In response, the Nigerian government observed all of
Sawyer’s contacts for signs of infection and increased
surveillance at all entry points to the country.

7. On 6 August, the Nigerian health minister told
reporters, “Yesterday the first known Nigerian to die of
Ebola was recorded.

8. It was later reported that at that time he flew, Sawyer
was already under surveillance for Ebola infection, but
had been cleared by the Finance Ministry of the Liberian
government to leave for an ECOWAS conference
in Calabar, Nigeria.

9. On 19 August, the doctor who treated Sawyer, Ameyo
Adadevoh also died of Ebola disease. Adadevoh was
posthumously praised for preventing Sawyer from
leaving the hospital at the time of diagnosis, thereby
playing a key role in curbing the spread of the virus in
Nigeria.

10. On the 20th of October 2014, the World Health
Organization declared Nigeria Ebola Free

www.vanguardngr.com/2015/07/one-year-after-patrick-sawyer-introduced-ebola-to-nigeria/

ThankGod it wasn't politicized.

that era was damn fvck mennn!

.........

The story of how we defeated Eola

am glad he is in hell