Ebola: 25 year old tests negative in Sokoto
By Abdallah el-Kurebe

As the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) spreads across the country against the efforts of the Federal government to contain it, a 25-year old patient, who was brought to the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto with the symptoms of the disease, has been tested negative.

According to part of a statement signed by the Medical Director of UDUTH, Dr. Yakubu Ahmed, a copy of which was made available to Newsdiaryonline.com in Sokoto on Friday, “The hospital has gotten the approval of the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu to inform the general public that the result of the investigation was negative to Ebola, Lassa, Dengue and West Nile diseases.

It further explained that the patient was brought to the hospital on September, 1st on account of vomiting, weakness of the body, cough and bleeding from the nostrils, “a situation that generated fear among the residents of the state.”

The MD further explained that the patient was initially managed at a private hospital on account of gastro-enteritis adding, “he got better and was discharged only to start presenting the afore-mentioned features.”

Newsdiaryonline.com learned that the nasal bleeding in the patient had caused panic among hospital staff as a result of which his sample was taken and sent to the reference laboratory in Lagos for Ebola virus test.

“In line with this, we urge people not to panic and be assured that the Federal government is committed to the safety of Nigerians,” the MD stated.

He commend the efforts of the health workers for their vigilance and courage in the management of the case.