Fresh Ebola Cases In Kaduna, Lagos

Three new cases of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, have been discovered in Lagos and Kaduna, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Jide Idris, has revealed.

The Commissioner, while addressing newsmen on Monday in the state, said four persons infected with the disease have been discharged after they responded positively to treatment. He added that the patients were allowed to leave the Lagos treatment centre after they were certified free of the disease.

He disclosed that four people have so far died of EVD, including the index, Patrick Sawyer.

“As at yesterday (Sunday), we have three new suspected cases. And one of them is a blood sample from Kaduna State while the two others are from Lagos, and they are primary contact. One reason for this was that they do not have the laboratory to test for the virus,” Idris told journalists.

Furthermore, the Commissioner pointed out that, “What we have now is that there are four people dead, including the index (Patrick Sawyer). We have eight in the isolation ward before the Saturday when we released the doctor. And this doctor was released after testing negative and going through the World Health Organization and Centre for Disease Control procedures for discharge.”

Shedding more light on the three fresh cases, Idris said they were still being monitored at the isolation centre.

He said infectious disease experts from Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, are part of those attending to patient.

The Commissioner disclosed that for now, there is no specific treatment for EVD, noting that “we treat the patients based on the presentation.”

“For instance, if the patients show symptoms of diarrhoea, he or she has to be treated with electrolyte and others. If the person shows signs of pains, he will be given drugs on pains. We have enough drugs to take care of them.

“If they require intensive care, we will do that. This is part of the equipment that has been brought in. They will be provided with such,” he explained.