Ebola: Don't rejoice yet, FG tells Nigerians

 










The Federal Government has cautioned Nigerians against rejoicing over the current level of the containment of the Ebola Virus Disease in the country.
Health Minister Onyebuchi Chukwu, while briefing State House journalists after today's Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, said it was too early to jubilate, noting that fresh cases were still possible among those currently under surveillance.
The minister stressed that containing the Ebola virus does not mean that it has been eliminated.
According to Chukwu, the fact that Nigeria is left with one case of Ebola implies that the virus is till an epidemic in the country, in line with the definition by the World Health Organisation.
He said though there had been a success story in terms of the containment, it was presumptuous to say the virus had been eliminated until the government gives a clean bill of health to all the contacts with the index case.
The minister added that even when everyone infected had been treated and discharged, the country still ought to maintain vigilance.
"While Nigeria has successfully contained Ebola, it hasn't eliminated the disease. As we speak, there is a case we are still managing. And even that case we are still managing must also have had her own third degree contacts many of whom are part of this number of people that are under surveillance.
"So, until we give a clean bill of health to every contact, we cannot even say we have eliminated the disease. We will only stop being at risk when the very last case of Ebola virus disease under this current epidemic has gone.
"It is still possible that Nigeria may record between one to three new cases because there are people under surveillance. There is still a chance one of the people under surveillance may fall sick and test positive. We have done well on containment, but by no means have we eliminated the problem in Nigeria.
"We should not move from panic to euphoria. Containment is like you have gotten an animal into a cage, but it is not yet dead. All the contacts have been traced to Patrick Sawyer who brought the virus to Nigeria. We're happy that we've contained it, but we have not eliminated the disease.
"Until we give a clean bill of health to all contacts, we can't say we have eliminated it. As long as people still travel from one country to another, every citizen of the world is still at risk. It is still possible that we still have more cases from people who are still under surveillance. We just have a success story. The problem is not yet over.
"We still need to maintain vigilance even when we may have discharged everybody infected with the virus. It is not over. Since we still have one case, we still have an epidemic of Ebola because it is deadlier than other disease. And the WHO, by its definition, says because of the deadly nature of Ebola, even if you have only one case, it is still an epidemic", he said.
Chukwu however said there was no reason to panic over mass gathering, saying Ebola was not the greatest killer in Nigeria.
According to him, since Sawyer brought the virus to Nigeria over a month ago, road accidents and terrorist attacks had claimed more lives than Ebola.
He said the government had not yet seen any reason to close the borders, noting however that if it becomes necessary, the government will do so, "but not now. We are only maintaining vigilance and doing screening at the borders".
He said survival from the virus depends on immunity, early detection and presentation as well as supportive treatment.
"Dr Adedevoh didn't survive because Sawyer lied and she had physical contact with him. She went into coma. Her case was serious", he added.
Speaking further, Chukwu said he was yet to receive anyt formal letter from the Nigerian Medical Association about the suspension of its strike.
The minister also maintained that the residency programme remained suspended.
"You don't put trainees on a programme that has been suspended. The NMA president only sent me a text message on their resumption. I'm supposed to receive a formal letter. But we are yet to get that as of last (Tuesday) night. And I called him and he promised to send it. As of now, residency programme remains suspended".
Also speaking, Information Minister Labaran Maku Ebola was still a threat in Nigeria.
"People should cooperate especially when health officials say you should be under surveillance. We still have probability that one or two cases can happen. It is still a threat. We should all obey the rules: avoid unnecessary contact, use hand sanitiser and wash hands constantly. We need more cooperation and consistency to overcome it. The media should help us tell Nigerians that containment is different from elimination (of the Ebola virus)", he said.