First case of Ebola recorded in Lagos

The Lagos state government has confirmed that there is a possibility of Ebola virus outbreak, which has claimed an estimated 632 lives across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone since February.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, special adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on public health, urged Lagosians not to panic, as the government has taken adequate measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

Adeshina disclosed that a 40-year-old Liberian, who is suspected to have been afflicted by the virus, is presently undergoing investigation at a private hospital in the Obalenede area of the state.

She said the victim has been isolated while the hospital has been cordoned off, and that about 30 others are equally being investigated.

Ebola, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea, is capable of impairing kidney and liver function and lead to internal and external bleeding.

The virus, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), can be contracted through close contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected people; and has no treatment or vaccine.

Only 10 per cent of those infected have the chance of surviving the disease, although prevention can be achieved by constantly washing hands with soap and water, avoiding close contact with people who are sick and ensuring that objects used by the sick are decontaminated and properly disposed.