Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu on Monday, confirmed that a total of three new Ebola cases has been recorded in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Last week, Chukwu confirmed that a doctor, Iyke Enemuo died in Port Harcourt after treating an ECOWAS employee, Olu-Ibukun Koye, who disregarded government warning and travelled to Rivers State after contracting Ebola from the index case, Patrick Sawyer.
The addition to the late doctor and a woman who was receiving treatment at the same hospital where the late doctor was treated is reportedly infected.
She has been receiving treatment at the state’s isolation ward while two other contacts of the late doctor are being closely monitored. They included a doctor who was part of the team that managed him and a pharmacy technician who worked at the doctor's hospital.
Although they have been exhibiting are symptoms of Ebola and have been admitted at the isolation ward, they have so far tested negative to the virus. Further laboratory tests are being awaited before their final status could be determined. The wife of doctor Enemuo is receiving treatment at the Ebola treatment center in Lagos.
Of the total Ebola occurrence and surveillance since it was brought to Nigeria, Chukwu had this to say:
“As at 31st August 2014, the number of contacts under surveillance in Lagos stands at 72; while, in Port Harcourt, the total number of contacts under surveillance stands at 199.
“There's nobody under surveillance in Enugu presently and no case of EVD in Enugu state.
“As at 31st August 2014, 278 contacts in Lagos State had completed the 21 days surveillance and have been discharged from surveillance. While in Enugu, all the six identified contacts have completed the 21 days observation period and have been discharged from surveillance.
“No contact in Port Harcourt has completed the 21 days observation period. It is expected that a few more contacts will develop EVD, especially in Rivers state before Nigeria will see the last case of EVD.”
Sahara Reporters
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