Hurrah! The deadly #Ebolavirus has been effectively contained  in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s  minister of health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu announced on Tuesday that two more patients of Ebola Virus Disease, a male doctor and a female nurse were discharged on Monday evening after they were certified free of the disease. 

The minister said Nigeria now only has  one confirmed case of EVD, a secondary contact of Mr. Patrick Sawyer’s and spouse of one of the physicians who participated in the management of the index case left under treatment. 

Chukwu said the patient is an a stable condition, but  on treatment at the Isolation ward in Lagos.

Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu: Nigeria’s health minister

The minister who announced this at a press briefing in Abuja noted that Tuesday marked the 38th day since the EVD was imported into Nigeria by a Liberian-American.

He added that Nigeria has had 13 cases of EVD including the index case since the disease was imported into the country. 

Of the 13, according to him, five, including the index case  died of the  disease.

“However, seven (7) of the infected persons were successfully managed at the Isolation ward in Lagos and have been discharged home.

The minister also disclosed that 129 people who had contact with people who had direct contact with Patrick Sawyer (the Liberian- American who brought the disease into the country) under surveillance for Ebola had been found not to have the deadly virus.

“The 129 people under surveillance have completed the 21 days incubation period of the disease without developing symptoms. However, there are still 128 secondary contacts under surveillance,” Chukwu said.

“So far, all the reported cases of the EVD in Nigeria have their root in the index case, the late Mr. Patrick Sawyer. 

“This is an indication that, thus far, Nigeria has contained the disease outbreak,” said the minister.

Chukwu however reassured Nigerians and the global community that the Government  will remain vigilant and will not relent as it continues to work with her partners to ensure that the disease is kept out of the country.