Nigerian Abroad Creates Ebola Treatment Drug, Sends It To Nigeria

Yesterday it was reported that a nurse escaped from quarantine in Lagos and made her way to Enugu where she had contact with 21 persons who she could have infected with the Ebola virus. Reports coming in indicate that she has been transpored back to Lagos, this time with her husband, in a special ambulance and both of them put under quarantine.

While announcing the development on Thursday, August 14, 2014, Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, also confirmed that another experimental drug 'Nanosilver' was billed to arrive the country on Thursday, August 14, 2014 The experimental drug, according to the Professor Chukwu, is a patriotic effort by a Nigerian in diaspora to salvage the situation.

According to Daily Times, The nurse, who had contact with Liberian- American Patrick Sawyer, caused a stir on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 when it was discovered that she had travelled to Enugu and had contact with at least 21 people during her unauthorized trip to the Southeastern city.

However, Chukwu says the nurse has so far not developed the symptoms as of the time of her trip.

"In Enugu yesterday, there were 21 secondary contacts with the nurse. But after investigations, there are only 6 secondary contacts now", he said in Abuja on Thursday, August 14, 2014.

"The nurse who is newly wedded had no symptoms of the disease when she travelled to Enugu, was transported back to Lagos in a special ambulance with her husband. Her husband is under quarantine now".

Chukwu also confirmed that a Nigerian in the Diaspora was sending an experimental drug for Ebola treatment, and the drug, whose name is 'Nanosilver', would arrive in Nigeria on Thursday, August 14, 2014.

"The experimental drug is a donation from a Nigerian scientist in Diaspora who was concerned about threat of Ebola in his home country. The drug will reach Nigeria today (Thursday, August, 14, 2014)", he said.

On updates on Ebola cases in Nigeria, he said some of the 169 secondary contacts of Sawyer were no longer under surveillance and had been released, having completed the 21 days of incubation period.