The Minister of Health, Prof. Chukwu Onyebuchi has disclosed that all those believed to have had contact with the Liberian Diplomat Patrick Sawyer, the man credited with the importation of the dreaded disease into the country are been placed under watch to help control the spread of the disease in the country.

The Minister of Health, Prof. Chukwu Onyebuchi made this known at a press briefing in Lagos when he said two new cases of Ebola infection had been recorded in Lagos which now brings to nine the number of cases recorded in Nigeria so far.

He said, “The total number of cases, as of this morning, (Friday) stands at nine out of which eight are Nigerians and one American-Liberian.

“Out of the nine confirmed cases, seven are alive and are receiving treatment In Lagos,” he said. He also noted that the fatality rate so far in Nigeria was in the range of 30 to 26 per cent, adding that the rate in all other ECOWAS countries stood at 65 per cent.

“I am saying this to enlighten people that having Ebola does not mean you have been condemned to death, survivors have been recorded.”

The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku who was also present at the press briefing discredited the rumour making the rounds that taking a salted hot water bath could protect one from contacting the virus.

The minister maintained that that the best and most effective way to handle the situation was to maintain a regular hand washing culture, use hand sanitizers and reduce handshaking situations with other people.