Nigeria contributes 506 volunteers to Ebola-affected countries

Nigeria would soon deploy 506 volunteer health workers to Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, the three Ebola-stricken West African countries, to help control the spread of the deadly disease, a top government health official said on Thursday.

The first contingent of 250 volunteers would depart the country soon, said Health Minister Khaliru Alhassan at a news conference during the 57th National Council on Health, which began in southern city of Uyo in Akwa Ibom.

Of the two Nigerian residents in the Freetown of Sierra Leone who tested positive for Ebola, one had been successfully treated, and the other was under monitoring in Sierra Leone quarantine center to ensure that he completed his mandatory 21 days incubation period. Alhassan said.

He said Nigeria would remain vigilant and ensure surveillance in all borders against any emergency situation.

The minister appealed to states of the federation to enhance their surveillance system, and the public to remain vigilant and seek immediate medical attention in event of suspected cases.

He called on all states to strengthen their Ebola quarantine centers in preparedness for any potential future threat, even though the country had been certified free of the pandemic by the World Health Organization. Enditem