Ebola: ECOWAS Official Who Received Patrick Sawyer Dies In Lagos

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced the
death of one of its staff, Jatto Abdulqudir, who died of the dreaded
Ebola virus.

A statement by the bloc confirmed Abdulqudir's death in Lagos.

"The ECOWAS Commission announces with deep regret the passing of a
staff member of its Lagos Liaison Office, Mr. Jatto Asihu Abdulqudir,
aged 36.

"Mr. Abdulqudir, a Protocol Assistant, was among those who assisted
the Liberian delegate to a regional meeting Mr. Patrick Sawyer, who
died from the Ebola Virus Disease at a Lagos hospital on 25th July
2014.

"Mr. Abdulqudir had been under quarantine following that sad incident.

"The Commission wishes to use this opportunity to express its
gratitude to Nigerian government authorities and others who
contributed to managing the late official while under quarantine. The
Management of the Commission wishes to commiserate with Mr.
Abdulqudir's family and colleagues and prays for the repose of his
soul.

"Before this sad event, the Commission working in collaboration with
Nigerian health authorities, had disinfected all the facilities of the
ECOWAS Lagos Liaison Office as part of precautionary measures to
safeguard the health, safety and security of staff members, and will
continue to monitor the situation.

"Management has also intensified awareness campaign among staff on the
deadly virus and uses this opportunity to invoke the spirit of
solidarity and mutual assistance.

"The Commission wishes to reassure staff of all Community Institutions
all over the entire region that it is taking all necessary steps to
guarantee their health and safety.

"Furthermore, Management enjoins all staff members and community
citizens in general to intensify the observance of personal hygiene.
They should also report any suspected case to health facilities and
seek medical advice or attention for the effective containment and
defeat of the Ebola disease.

"On the directive of regional leaders, ECOWAS has already set up a
Solidarity Fund to fight the disease and has solicited the support
contribution of Member States and development partners to the Fund to
rid the region of the virus.

"The ECOWAS Commission wishes to reiterate its continued commitment to
support Member States in confronting this deadly virus," the statement
read.

The death of the ECOWAS official has now brought to three the number
of people who died of Ebola in Nigeria.

The first two were Mr. Sawyer, who brought the Ebola virus into
Nigeria, and one of the nurses who treated him at the First Consultant
Hospital in Lagos.

Abdulqudir had escorted Sawyer to the hospital when the Liberian fell
ill ahead of an ECOWAS meeting he was in Nigeria to attend.