Ebola: Laboratory Test Of Suspected Patient Proves Negative, Says FG

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• Suspects poisoning, intoxication

The cause of the recent death of the University of Calabar undergraduate in mysterious circumstances at the UNICAL Teaching Hospital remains unknown, it was learnt yesterday. There were fears that he may have died of Ebola.

However, latest results from further laboratory test carried out on his remains were negative for all known pathogenic viruses, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mr. Linus Awute, said in a statement.

The Nation report continues:

This, according to him, has thrown up the possibility of poisoning or intoxication with a chemical.

Awute said that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) will continue with investigation in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Results of the first round of laboratory tests proved negative for Ebola Virus and Lassa Fever virus.

The additional tests were carried out at the Redeemers University African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases at Ede, Osun State.

The permanent secretary said:  “Further tests were conducted to establish any bacterial or fungal infection involvement and this also proved negative.

“The possibility of poisoning or intoxication with a chemical cannot be ruled out at this stage.

“The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) will continue with this investigation in collaboration with National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

“On the basis of these finding Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit where the patient was admitted has been decontaminated and will remain closed throughout this weekend.”