Ebola: US Yet To Request For Assistance --FG

Contrary to expectations, the United States is yet to approach Nigeria
for assistance with regards to methods used to contain Ebola THE PUNCH
reports.

The US had last week recorded its first Ebola case in circumstances
similar to the importation of the virus to Nigeria by the
Liberian-born American Diplomat, late Mr. Patrick Sawyer.

Thomas Duncan, the first person to have been diagnosed with Ebola in
the US, is said to be fighting for his life in a hospital in Dallas.

Based on the feat recorded by the Federal Government in the
containment of Ebola in Lagos and Port Harcourt, speculations had been
rife that the US would seek the intervention of Nigeria.

But the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, told THE PUNCH
that US had yet to approach Nigeria for assistance.

His Special Assistant, Media and Communications, Mr. Dan Nwomeh, made
the clarification during an inquiry by our correspondent on Monday in
Abuja.

"As at Friday really, there was no formal request by the United
States, for assistance in the containment of Ebola Virus Disease," he
said.
The Ebola case in US was recorded in Dallas, Texas, and was from a
patient who had reportedly just come back from Liberia.
A statement from the Director of Centre for Disease Control and the
Texas Health Department, Dr. Tom Frieden, last Tuesday said the
patient had been hospitalised while contact tracing had commenced.
The patient had no symptoms when leaving West Africa, but was said to
have developed symptoms approximately four days after arriving in the
US on Sept. 20.
He said, "The person fell ill on Sept. 24 and sought medical care at
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas on Sept. 26. After
developing symptoms consistent with Ebola, he was admitted to hospital
on Sept. 28. Based on the person's travel history and symptoms, CDC
recommended testing for Ebola.
"The medical facility isolated the patient and sent specimens for
testing at CDC and at a Texas lab participating in the CDC's
Laboratory Response Network. CDC and the Texas Health Department
reported the laboratory test results to the medical center to inform
the patient.
"Local public health officials have begun identifying close contacts
of the person for further daily monitoring for 21 days after exposure.
A CDC team was dispatched to Dallas, Tuesday morning.