Fear gripped students, parents and staff of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, on Tuesday over a report that a patient at the OAU Health Center was suspected to have Ebola Virus Disease.The patient, our correspondent gathered from sources, is a female student of the university.
When our correspondent visited the hospital, it was observed that health officials were disinfecting the surroundings of the medical center.
Our correspondent reported that more concentration was paid on areas where patients sit before being attended to.
It was also gathered that top officials of the hospital held an emergency meeting after testing the patient.
It was learnt that the suspected patient was admitted since Monday.
Though, medical officials in the hospital denied that the suspected student tested positive to EVD, they said the Federal Government Emergency Ebola Team has been contacted.
One of the officials, who preferred to be anonymous because he was not authorised to speak, said the suspected patient had been slated for an intensive examination by the EVD team from Lagos on Wednesday.
Another official claimed that the suspected student had a fever.
The official said there was panic because the patient told them that she came from Port Harcourt.
It will be recalled that Ebola cases had recently been reported in the Rivers State capital.
The official said, "A patient was brought to the health centre and due to the fact that she lives in Port Harcourt, there were fears that it might be Ebola. We have carried out tests on the victim and found that she is suffering from fever. Not satisfied, we pressed further by holding an emergency meeting which ended about five minutes ago."
When asked why the hospital was disinfecting its surroundings, another official said, "We are only taking preventive measures. To be 100 per cent satisfied, we have sent a letter to the Ebola Emergency Team in Lagos and the team should arrive by tomorrow."
Efforts to reach officials of the institution on Tuesday proved abortive as they were said to be at the 52nd Matriculation ceremony of the university.
PUNCH
