Ebola Scare: Cross River Dismisses Rumour Of Outbreak At UCTH
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The Cross River Government has dismissed reports which stated that a patient who died at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) had contacted the Ebola virus, stating that though it is awaiting results of blood samples of the patient, he is suspected to have had symptoms of viral hemorrhagic fever.
Dr Sunday Omini, Director of Public Health in the state Ministry of Health, said this on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar.
Omini said, “We are aware of the situation and we have got preliminary reports from the hospital, and we are all awaiting the result of the blood samples.
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“But judging from the information I have received so far, I am 90 per cent sure that it is not Ebola.
“However, we are on top of the situation, there is no cause for alarm,’’ he said.
Similarly, in a press statement made available to newsmen in Calabar yesterday, the management of UCTH also confirmed that the patient might have died of hemorrhagic fever.
The chairman of the Medical Advisory Council, UCTH, Dr. Queeneth Kalu, reaffirmed that the blood sample of the patient had been sent for testing, while identified contacts numbering about 15 had been quarantined.
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Kalu said, “On Wednesday October 7, 2015, we managed a patient who presented symptoms mimicking viral Hemorrhagic Fever.
“Due to the remote chance of it being contagious, we have sent the blood samples for testing and quarantined identified contacts.
“Further information will be made available as soon as we receive the results of the samples for analysis.
“The National Centre for Disease Control, Federal Ministry of Health, Cross River State Government and the Department of State Services had been informed of the development.”
