Ebola: Panic as Uganda records one death after declaring outbreak, Adeyanju admonishes FG to be on high alert

Mr. Adeyanju stated that “because of the strategic position of Nigeria, such news should be treated with every sense of urgency and necessity as if it were a serious national issue.”

The health authorities in Uganda have declared an outbreak of Ebola after a case of the Sudan ebolavirus was confirmed in Mubende district in the central part of the country.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, said the Uganda Virus Research Institute confirmed the case after testing a sample from a 24-year-old male.

The patient with the confirmed case showed symptoms and later died.

Ms. Moeti said this follows an investigation by the National Rapid Response team of six suspicious deaths in the district this month. She noted that there are currently eight suspected cases who are receiving care in a health facility.

“This is the first time in more than a decade that Uganda is recording an outbreak of Sudan ebolavirus,” she said.

Ms Moeti said the WHO is working closely with the national health authorities to investigate the source of this outbreak while supporting the efforts to roll out effective control measures quickly.

Ms Moeti said the WHO is working closely with the national health authorities to investigate the source of this outbreak while supporting the efforts to roll out effective control measures quickly.

Reacting to this development, the convener of Concerned Nigerians, Mr Deji Adeyanju, has admonished the federal government and the minister of health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, not to relent or take for granted the disturbing news about the Ebola outbreak in Uganda.

Speaking shortly after a news briefing, Mr Adeyanju stated that “because of the strategic position of Nigeria, such news should be treated with every sense of urgency and necessity as if it were a serious national issue.”

He also commended the past leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan on how he proactively tackled the first Ebola outbreak in Nigeria in 2014.

“Currently, the country does not have the wherewithal to confront another epidemic, and this is enough reason why the federal government and the ministry of health should not treat this news lightly but sweep into action to ensure the masses are properly enlightened and our borders secured to detect any infected traveler that might come into the country.”