Ebola update reveals that Nigeria is able to contain the virus spread after no new cases have been detected since late August.
While other countries in West Africa continue to combat the ongoing spread of the deadly disease, Africa's most populous country shares the good news. According to the latest reports, the country is already less than a week short of the 42-day period before the World Health Organization (WHO) can officially name it as free from the virus. It is believed that the government is able to contain and prevent the further spread of infection since its outbreak in July.
People in Nigeria were exposed to the deadly virus when a Liberian-American development consultant, Patrick Sawyer, collapsed at the Lagos airport in July 20. Sawyer's fellow passengers along with the other people in the airport and hospital were reportedly exposed to the virus after updates revealed that he tested positive for Ebola. Upon knowing the confirmed case, the government Nigeria then implemented their protocol as health officials immediately imposed strict measures.
The immediate action of the government to quarantine any suspected individuals and screen thousands of their contacts is believed to contribute to the successful containment of the virus. According to the news updates, Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan closed schools and began tracing infected persons since the outbreak while distributing leaflets containing details and preventive measures about the Ebola virus. The good news is also able to attract U.S. officials who are currently dealing with the spread of the deadly virus in its country after three suspected cases have been positively confirmed.
While several cases have been already noted in other countries, Commissioner for Health Jide Idris of Nigeria revealed that they were able to win against the outbreak because they all worked together. CDC director Tom Frieden also believes that the government's rapid action and extensive interventions to the Ebola patients proves that a control is possible. Despite of the containment, residents are still vigilant about the illness since WHO update states that more than 4,000 people already died from the virus while nearly 9,000 are infected.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
