Doctors vow to continue strike  
The dreaded Ebola virus has reared its head in Nigeria, killing its first victim in Lagos. The Federal Government yesterday evening confirmed the death of a Liberian earlier suspected of suffering from the virus.
Minster of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, gave the confirmation at a joint press briefing with the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku.
He explained that the Federal Ministry of Health was alerted on Tuesday of the suspected case of Ebola virus disease in Lagos involving a 40-year-old male, travelling from Monrovia, Liberia to Nigeria on Asky Airline via Lome to Lagos.
According to him, the alert sent to the ministry, indicated that the passenger presented with fever, vomiting and diarrhoea on arrival at the airport. He was then handed over by the airline to the Port Health Services of the Federal Ministry of Health, which quickly isolated him and transported him straight to the hospital, avoiding contact with the general public.
He said: “The patient was subjected to thorough medical evaluation where laboratory investigations were carried out. His blood sample was taken to the advanced laboratory at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, which confirmed the diagnosis of Ebola Virus Disease. The result was corroborated by other laboratories outside Nigeria. “Despite the urgent specialised barrier nursing care provided for the patient in Lagos, the patient unfortunately passed away in the early hours of July 25, 2914.”
The minister, however, reassured the public that his ministry was working with other ministries, agencies and international organisations as well as the Lagos State government to prevent the spread of the virus.
He said: “All the passengers the patient came in contact with have been traced and are being investigated in line with the WHO international health regulations and in keeping with international best practices, all ports of entry into Nigeria including airports, seaports and land boarders are placed on Red Alert. Ministry of Health specialists have been positioned in all entry points. Active surveillance has also been stepped up.
“All government tertiary health institutions in Nigeria have been equipped to handle any emergency that may arise from the disease.”
The minister also announced that an emergency operation centre has been established, coordinated by the Centre for Disease Control of the Federal Ministry of Health with an inter-ministerial committee set up by President Jonathan and headed by the Minister of Information in order to sensitize the public.”
Meanwhile, panic has gripped Lagos residents over the death caused by Ebola virus. Telephone text messages have gone viral on social media warning Lagosians to stay away from a certain private hospital located at Obalende where the suspect was said to have received treatment. The message was said to have emanated from a doctor who claimed that he knew where the patient was admitted.
Despite the reported suspected case of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, in Lagos, striking medical doctors under the auspices of Lagos State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, yesterday said they will not suspend the ongoing strike because of reported Ebola Virus Disease, EVD.
In a telephone chat with Saturday Sun in Lagos, the new chairman of the Association, Dr Tope Ojo, said the ongoing strike was not called because of Ebola and cannot be called off.

Panic in Lagos, as FG confirms death of Liberian with Ebola virus