United Nations contacts Nigeria on containment of Ebola

The UN today announced that they had contacted Nigeria concerning the containment of the Ebola virus through the WHO.

The briefing was shortly after the announcement of the WHO on Nigeria being Ebola-free following 42 days with no proven cases.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the WHO representative, Rui Vaz, who spoke in Abuja, said it was a “spectacular success story.”

He said, “Nigeria won the praise for its swift response after a Liberian brought the disease to Lagos in July.’’

At the Monday briefing, Dujarric said Nigeria’s success story could be copied to successfully contain the disease in West Africa.

He added, “Nigeria’s success story means that Ebola can be stopped with functional health service and commitment.’’

NAN recalls that in September, the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, had commended President Goodluck Jonathan for Nigeria’s efforts at containing the spread of the virus in the country.

Ki-Moon gave the commendation at a meeting he held with Jonathan on the sideline of the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly.

In a related development, Ban’s spokesman, DuJarric, said the trust fund set up by the Secretary-General now had $8.8m in deposits and $5m in commitments.

He said in total, $43.5m was pledged.

He added that the UN secretary would continue to urge countries to redeem their pledges as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, DuJarric said a UN female staff in Sierra Leone had passed away at the weekend from Ebola.

Source: Punch