A 25-year-old patient brought to the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto State, with suspected Ebola virus symptoms is reported to had tested negative for the virus.
This is contained in a statement by the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Yakubu Ahmed, and made available to newsmen in Sokoto, on Friday.
It said, "The hospital has gotten the approval of the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, to inform the general public that the result of the investigation was negative for Ebola".
He said the patient (name withheld) also tested negative for Lassa, and Dengue and West Nile fever.
He said, "The patient was brought on Sept. 1, on account of vomiting, weakness of the body, coughing and bleeding from the nostrils, the situation that generated fear among the residents of the state."
The statement added that the patient was initially managed at a private hospital on account of gastro-enteritis and was said to have "gotten better and discharged only to start presenting afore-mentioned features".
It said, "It was also learnt that the nasal bleeding of the patient had caused panic among staff of the hospital.
"As a result, his sample was taken and sent to the reference laboratory in Lagos for Ebola virus test.
"In line with this, we urge people not to panic and be assured that the Federal Government is committed to the safety of Nigerians.
"We also commend the efforts of the health workers for their vigilance and courage in the management of the case."
PUNCH
