Delta State Government has set up Special Isolation Wards within seven designated hospitals for suspected cases of Ebola virus disease in the State. The hospitals are Warri Central Hospitals, Ughelli Central Hospital, Sapele Central Hospital and Agbor Central Hospital. Others are Oleh Central Hospital, Eku Baptist Government Hospital and Delta State University Teaching Hospital Oghara.
Briefing the press at the conference Hall of the Ministry of Information Asaba, the Committee on Inter-Ministerial Ebola Virus Outbreak Preparedness and Response, disclosed that the Ebola Virus which has claimed 932 deaths in a total of 1,203 reported cases, has not yet been reported in the State. The Health Commissioner, Dr. Joseph Otumara who is the chairman of the Committee stated that the State Government is not leaving any stone unturned to ensure that any suspected case is promptly contained, has put into operation activities and interventions among which include a stakeholders committee chaired by His Excellency, the State Governor, a technical working group and a meeting of relevant stakeholders like traditional rulers, owners of private health institutions.
According to the Committee, Ebola Virus is introduced into the human population through close contact with blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals such as bats, monkeys and apes. “In order to avoid the loss of lives and reduce the economic impact of a possible outbreak, coupled with the fact that Nigerians in general and Deltans in particular are widely travelled, therefore, the Delta State Government has put into operation intervention measures in the State.” He explained.
Dr. Otumara who was in the company of other members of the Committee which include, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Monitoring Dr. Rukevwe Ogumba, Functioning Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. Omotsola Michael, revealed that in the early stages of the Ebola Virus disease is present with non-specific symptoms such as sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat and later symptoms include, vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes, impaired kidney and liver failure and in some cases both internal and external bleeding this include the period between 2 to 21 days with a case fatality rate of about 50 – 90 percent.
The Health Commissioner stated that the transmission of the disease to human is known to include uncooked infected fruit bats and bush meat, physical contact with a person who is acutely and gravely ill from the Ebola Virus or their body fluids – body sweat of infected person, blood, semen, saliva,, faeces, urine, breast milk etc. Dr. Otumara who outlined symptoms of the early stages of Ebola infected person to include sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle, headache and sore throat, warned people to avoid touching an infected person or their fluids, sweat, blood, vomits, urine, faeces or diarrhoea.
He advised people to promptly report all suspected cases to designated hospitals or contact the following telephone numbers: 08037857479, 08063927202, 07037120510 or 08037438829, even as he charged health workers to observe practical universal precautions and measures/standard. The commissioner reiterated that the disease can still be spread by someone who has recovered from the disease to their partner through their semen for up to 7 weeks after recovery, saying that for this reason it is important for men to avoid sexual intercourse for at least 7 weeks after recovery.
…..ECOWAS announces death of official, who recieved Liberian, Patrick Sawyer, dies of Ebola in Lagos
Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS] has announced the death of one of its staff, Jatto Abdulqudir, who died of the dreaded Ebola virus.
“Mr Abdulqudir, a protocol assistant, was among those who assisted the Liberian delegate to a regional meeting Mr Patrick Sawyer, who died from the Ebola Virus Disease at a Lagos hospital on 25th July 2014.”
The death of the ECOWAS official has now brought to three the number of people who died of Ebola in Nigeria.
The first two were Mr. Sawyer, who brought the Ebola virus into Nigeria, and one of the nurses who treated him at the First Consultant Hospital in Lagos.
Sawyer was to have attended an ECOWAS meeting and Abdulqudir escorted him to hospital in the Ikoyi neighbourhood from Lagos airport, where he arrived on a flight from Monrovia via the Togolese capital, Lome
Read ECOWAS full statement on the passing of the late Mr. Abdulqudir below.
“The ECOWAS Commission announces with deep regret the passing of a staff member of its Lagos Liaison Office, Mr. Jatto Asihu Abdulqudir, aged 36.
“Mr. Abdulqudir, a Protocol Assistant, was among those who assisted the Liberian delegate to a regional meeting Mr. Patrick Sawyer, who died from the Ebola Virus Disease at a Lagos hospital on 25th July 2014.
“Mr. Abdulqudir had been under quarantine following that sad incident.
“The Commission wishes to use this opportunity to express its gratitude to Nigerian government authorities and others who contributed to managing the late official while under quarantine. The Management of the Commission wishes to commiserate with Mr. Abdulqudir’s family and colleagues and prays for the repose of his soul.
“Before this sad event, the Commission working in collaboration with Nigerian health authorities, had disinfected all the facilities of the ECOWAS Lagos Liaison Office as part of precautionary measures to safeguard the health, safety and security of staff members, and will continue to monitor the situation.
“Management has also intensified awareness campaign among staff on the deadly virus and uses this opportunity to invoke the spirit of solidarity and mutual assistance.
“The Commission wishes to reassure staff of all Community Institutions all over the entire region that it is taking all necessary steps to guarantee their health and safety.
“Furthermore, Management enjoins all staff members and community citizens in general to intensify the observance of personal hygiene. They should also report any suspected case to health facilities and seek medical advice or attention for the effective containment and defeat of the Ebola disease.
“On the directive of regional leaders, ECOWAS has already set up a Solidarity Fund to fight the disease and has solicited the support contribution of Member States and development partners to the Fund to rid the region of the virus.
“The ECOWAS Commission wishes to reiterate its continued commitment to support Member States in confronting this deadly virus.”
