Ebola spread in Nigeria under control: minister

Nigeria had been able to control the spread of the Ebola virus in the country, Minister of Health Onyeabuchi Chukwu said on Wednesday.

Chukwu disclosed this in Abuja, the nation's capital while updating the media on the outbreak of the Ebola virus after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, which was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The minister said only two people were living with the virus as of the time of filing this report.

He said the government was being commended by various international organizations and the U.S. government on the ways and manner the outbreak of the virus was being handled.

Chukwu said the federal government was contemplating honoring all victims of the Ebola virus particularly the medical personnel who died as a result of the disease.

He said the government was in touch with the family of the doctor who died on Tuesday.

At least 177 persons are under surveillance in the West African country, the government said.

Earlier this month, Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan declared a national emergency, saying a sum of 1.9 billion naira (11.6 million U.S. dollars) would be released to prevent further spread of the epidemic.

Ebola spreads through body fluids and has killed over 1,200 people in West African countries.