An elderly woman exhibiting signs of the Ebola virus has died in Asokoro hospital, Abuja.
The Accident and Emergency section of the hospital where the incident ocurred has been cordoned off and those in contact with the deceased have been quarantined.
According to a statement by the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, blood sample were taken from the patient on August 28th for testing and were expected yesterday before the patient died.
The statement signed by the secretariat’s head of public relations, Badaru Yakassai, reads:
“The Family Medicine unit of Asokoro District Hospital suspected Ebola disease in a patient on admission at the Accident and Emergency unit on the 28th of August 2014 and immediately isolated the patient. Strict infection control measures were immediately instituted. Blood sample was then taken to the designated FCT Ebola testing laboratory which happens to be within the hospital premises. The epidemiology unit of Public Health Department of the Health and Human Services Secretariat was notified and their response was immediate. The results of the Ebola test was being expected from the laboratory four days later, on Monday the 1st of September 2014.
The case also served as a drill case to test the preparedness of the hospital to manage and contain the Ebola disease. Clinical assessment however did not reveal any history of contact or travel. However in view of the high index of suspicion, isolation and strict infection control measures were continued and the unit was condoned off. Unfortunately, the patient died the next day, Friday 29th August 2014. The accident and emergency unit was temporarily relocated to the General Outpatient Unit (GOPD). A list of all medical staff who had come into contact with the patient has been compiled and they are all under surveillance.”
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