UCTH: Quarantined Staff Released, Test Proves Negative for Ebola, Lassa Fever

The authorities of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) on Saturday announced that their staff members that were quarantined after a patient who presented “symptoms of mimicking viral hemorrhagic fever” died on Wednesday have been released.

The hospital said the released staff members have been placed on monitoring until the result of test conducted on the sample taken from the deceased, a student identified simply as Eyamba, was concluded and announced.
The hospital said the tests so conducted had shown that the patient did not die as from Ebola or Lassa fever, stressing that further test on the sample was being conducted.

Chairman Medical Advisory Committee of the UCTH, Dr. Queeneth Kalu, who addressed journalists at the instance of the hospital’s chief medical director, Dr. Thomas Agan, said a temporary accident and emergency ward has been created while the main one has been fumigated and closed for the time being.

The text read by Kalu at the press briefing stated: “On Wednesday 7th of October there was an Ebola scare following a patient we managed who died after presenting with symptoms mimicking viral haemorrhagic fever. We are pleased to inform you that preliminary tests have excluded Ebola and Lassa fever. Further tests are being done for confirmation in line with international standards.

“The Accident and Emergency (A and E) Unit is being decontaminated and will remain closed throughout this weekend.

Meanwhile a temporary A and E (Unit) has been set up to attend to patients. The quarantined staff members have been released for twice daily self-monitoring.

“A hospital sensitisation seminar facilitated by the National Centre for Disease Control was held yesterday (Friday). All our clinical services are still open on inpatient and outpatient basis. We are grateful to all who have shown concern over this incident”, she added.

Multi-Joint Task’s Working with Army to End Insurgency, Says CoAS
Chiemelie Ezeobi

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Turkur Buratai, yesterday in Lagos, said the multi-joint task force is working with the Nigerian Army, with the aim putting an end to the insurgency in the country.

While speaking with journalists, the army chief said the fight against the insurgents would be over at the stipulated time given by President Mohammadu Buhari.

He warned officers to stay away from politicians or be ready to incur the wrath of Army Headquarters Towards this end he urged all soldiers to be apolitical in their daily activities.

The Chief of Army Staff gave the warning yesterday while addressing officers and soldiers at 9th Brigade Parade ground, Ikeja, Lagos. He said the Nigerian Army would deal with officers who fraternise with politicians.

“I want you to remain professional and apolitical. Any officer or soldier seen hibernating with politicians or getting involved in politics of whatever nature would not be tolerated and such officer will be dealt with accordingly if caught,” Buratai said.

Aside, he told officers that the country must have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles, which was part of his vision.