A suspected case of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, has been confirmed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in Asokoro General Hospital, Abuja.
A sample of the test conducted on the patient has been sent to Lagos with the result expected to be ready later today. Should the result turn positive, it will be the first case of Ebola in the nation’s federal capital.
A statement issued on Monday by the Head, Public Relations Unit of the Health and Human Services Secretariat(HHSS) of the FCTA, Badaru Salisu Yakasai reveals that the suspected Ebola patient died at the weekend right before the result of the test could be released.
According to the statement, “the Family Medicine unit of Asokoro District hospital suspected Ebola disease in a patient on admission at the Accident and Emergency unit on the 28th of August 2014 and immediately isolated the patient. Strict infection control measures were immediately instituted. Blood sample was then taken to the designated FCT Ebola testing laboratory which happens to be within the Hospital premises.
“The epidemiology unit of Public Health Department of the Health and Human Services Secretariat was notified and their response was immediate. The result of the Ebola testing was being expected from the Laboratory four days later, on Monday the 1st of September 2014.
“Unfortunately, the patient died the next day, Friday 29th August 2014,” it added.
So as not to take chances, the statement said that this has led to an undisclosed number of medical staff of the hospital who had contact with the patient being placed under surveillance.
The statement notes that the case has served as a drill case to test the readiness of the hospital to manage and contain Ebola disease.
Although, “Clinical assessment of the patient did not reveal any history of contact or travel, however in view of the high index of suspicion, isolation and strict infection control measures were continued and the unit was condoned off.
“The accident and emergency unit was temporarily relocated to the General outpatient unit (GOPD). A list of all Medical staff that had come into contact with the patient has been compiled and they are all under surveillance,” it explained.
Members of the public were by the statement advised not to panic as the case of Ebola has not been confirmed at the Hospital and the measures that have been put in place are only precautionary in the interest of public safety.
The HHSS said in order to raise awareness of Health workers towards controlling the Ebola Virus Disease, Public Health Department of the Secretariat, FCTA, has organized a one day sensitization workshop on Ebola for health care workers in Secondary and Tertiary Health institutions in the Federal Capital Territory. The event was said to have been staged at the conference hall of Maitama District Hospital on the 28th of August 2014.
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