Nigeria: Two Nigerians Diagnosed With Ebola in Sierra Leone

Abuja — Two Nigerians resident in Freetown, Sierra Leone have been diagnosed to have been infected with Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

The two Nigerians included a 27-year-old indigene of Abia stated and a 22-year old indigene of Edo state.

Supervisory minister for health, Khaliru Alhassan, disclosed on Thursday while declaring open the National Council for Health, (NCH), meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.

According to him: "Official information reaching the Ministry from Sierra Leone Health Officials confirmed that two Nigerians resident in Free Town, were recently diagnosed with Ebola Virus Disease . They include a 27 year old indigene of Abia State, while the other is a 22 year old indigene of Edo State.

"Details of these two cases shall be made available when a detailed investigation of their status is concluded.

"Both Nigerians received treatment in isolation centres in Free Town, Sierra Leone and one of them has indeed been successfully treated and is technically cured and has returned to Nigeria."

The Minister, however assured that Nigerian borders will continue to remain open for free movement of people and goods within the region despite the Ebola threats.

He said that recent developments in the country and in the sub-region regarding the spread of Ebola Virus Disease have vindicated government stand that leaving the borders open and strengthening surveillance is the key to promote detection of any potential threats.

Alhassan maintained that government has taken conscious and informed decisions that although our borders will continue to remain open for the free movement of people and goods within the region, government will continue to strengthen and sustain proactive vigilance and surveillance in all its borders air, sea and land.

Against this back drop, the Minister appealed to the countries already infected to strengthen their surveillance and quarantine network to minimize the escape from such networks people already put under surveillance to other non-infected countries.

He, however, warned that the recent achievement recorded by Nigeria's Public Health in the fight against the EVD must not be taken for granted and that Nigeria must not rest on its oars.

He stressed that this should serve as a wakeup call to all and sundry that this current outbreak of Ebola still presents a threat to Nigeria and the rest of the world until it is contained and eliminated from all countries, particularly from the West African sub-region.

See full story: Daily Independent