Ebola scare hits Obafemi Awolowo University

Fear gripped students, parents and staff of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, on Tuesday over report that a patient admitted at OAU Health Center is suspected to have Ebola Virus Disease.

The patient, our correspondent gathered from unconfirmed sources, is a female student of the university.

When our correspondent visited the hospital, it was observed that health officials were disinfecting the surroundings of the medical center.

Our correspondent reported that more concentration was paid on areas where patients sit before being attended to.

OAU

It was also gathered that top officials of the hospital held an emergency meeting after testing the patient.

It was learnt that the suspected patient had been admitted since Monday.

Though, medical officials in the hospital denied that the suspected student tested positive to EVD, they said the Federal Government Emergency Ebola Team has been contacted.

One of the officials, who preferred to be anonymous because he was not authorised to speak, said the suspected patient would be picked up tomorrow for an intensive examination by the EVD team from Lagos.

Another official claimed that the suspected student tested positive for fever.

The official said there was panic because the patient told them that she came from Port-Harcourt.

It will be recalled that Ebola cases had recently been reported in the Rivers State capital.

The official said, “A patient was brought to the health centre and due to the fact that she hails from Port-Harcourt there were fears that it may be Ebola. We have carried out tests on the victim and found that she is suffering from fever. Not satisfied, we pressed further by holding an emergency meeting which finished five minutes ago.”

When asked why the hospital was disinfecting its surroundings, another staff said, “We are only taking preventive measures. To be 100 per cent satisfied, we have sent a letter to the Ebola Emergency Team in Lagos and the team should arrive by tomorrow.”

Efforts to reach officials of the institution proved abortive as they are currently at the 52nd Matriculation ceremony of the university.