The Permanent Security, Primary Healthcare Board in Lagos State, Dr. Oguntimehin Olukayode, has said that five patients in the last days have had no symptoms of the Ebola virus.
He explained that a blood test was carried on the patients to ensure that they were viral negative before the process of discharging them was carried out.
Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, Dr. Olukayode noted that there had been a lot of panic about Ebola and there had been a natural history about the disease.
“Out of every five people that really get infected one will survive whether you do anything or not, that is where the statics that says up to 90% die came from.
“But if you bring them in early and you do what is right for them, they usually survive,” he stressed.
Dr. Olukayode explained that the outbreaks occur more in the rural areas because of lack of awareness, adding that the 1st wave and 2nd wave have so much mortality.
“By the time people realise what is happening and they start doing what they have to do to make sure it does not spread, then the mortality rate will reduce.”
He extended his condolence to the families that have been lost through the virus, and criticised the media for misinforming the public on the the Ebola virus issue.
He also confirmed that the nurse that was infected with the virus and was reported to have ran to Enugu had been discharged from the hospital. He explained that she (the nurse) had to go to Enugu for personal reasons but later complained of having a fever. “A team was sent to Enugu with two ambulances to bring her back.
“By the time she started having fever, she had six contacts which are being followed up” he added.
Dr. Olukayode insisted that “once a patient comes in early for treatments he/she stands a chance of surviving”.
