Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, on Friday confirmed what SaharaReporters had consistently reported that two more people have been infected with Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), bringing the number of current established cases to four.
Chukwu, who made the confirmation during an interaction with journalists, said the latest Ebola victims, are spouses of two of the five people earlier killed by the disease.
Saharareporters had revealed that the spouse to late nurse Justina Ejelonu was admitted as a suspect case two days ago, now he has tested positive alongside a wife of a doctor that earlier died of Ebola.
Last night 5 new suspect cases were brought to the treatment center. As of today four cases are under treatment with one Dr. Adejoro severely ill while a nurse, Dochi Ameobi is stable.
“As of today, the number of deaths from Ebola remains 5 and the number of those that have recovered from the virus remains 5 as well”, he said, adding that these two victims are the first cases of Ebola infection through secondary contacts.
The minister also disclosed that 67 people under surveillance have completed the 21-day incubation period for Ebola, and they have been discharged.
“As of today, there are 213 people under surveillance”.
He assured that the federal government, working with the Lagos state government and other partners would continue to maintain vigilance and strengthen containment activities.
He also assured the Nigerian public and the global community that efforts would continue until the very last case of Ebola Virus Disease is wiped out Nigeria.
However, he debunked the claims of Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Mr. Jide Idris that five cases were earlier taken to the isolation centre at Yaba, saying it is his office that can announce disease epidemics.
Meanwhile the World Health Organization (WHO) has withdrawn one of its doctors from the treatment centre in Lagos
, a replacement is under way.