World Health Organization commends Nigeria over Ebola

The World Health Organization, WHO, has commended efforts by the Nigerian government in containing the spread of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease.

Speaking during an Emergency session of the United Nations Security Council on Ebola, on Thursday, the Director General, WHO, Margaret Chan, told participants to take a cue from the stable conditions in Nigeria and Senegal.

She said that the disease which could be contained will take some time.

“It will take some time, but the Ebola outbreak can be contained. Look at the stable situation in Nigeria and Senegal,” Ms. Chan said.

She said the outbreak which has affected five West African countries is likely the greatest peacetime challenge that the UN and its agencies have ever faced, with reports showing that over 5000 people have been infected with the disease that has killed over 2,500 others.

Nigeria witnessed a blow from the disease outbreak when a Liberian- American, Patrick Sawyer, imported the deadly virus into the country on July 20.

Mr. Sawyer had evaded surveillance in Monrovia, Liberia, after his sister died of the Ebola disease.

He died on July 24 at the First Consultant Hospital, Obalende, Lagos State.

Following the outbreak of the disease, Nigeria recorded 19 confirmed cases with 12 survivors and seven deaths. The last case of the disease was successfully discharged on September 10 from the Ebola Isolation Center.

After weeks of fighting the deadly disease, Nigeria celebrates one week as an Ebola free country.