Ebola Survivors: former Governor  Babatunde Fashola of Lagos(4th left) with survivors of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, during a visit to the Governor in Lagos, yesterday. From Right: Dr. Adaora Igonoh, Dennis Akagha, Fashola, Dr. Ibeawuchi Morris, Dr. Fadipe Akinniyi and Dr. Enemuo Kelechi

By Sola Ogundipe

One year ago today, July 20, the late Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer, imported the Ebola virus into Nigeria, setting off a chain reaction of unprecedented magnitude in the annals of the nation’s history.

Following the encounter with the index case, healthcare personnel at First Consultants Hospital, Lagos, including the late Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh, and the late were among the first Nigerians to contract the deadly virus.

For 93 days, the country grappled with the ominous challenge of the incursion by the deadly disease and it succeeded in containing it.

Nigeria was declared Ebola-free on October 20, 2014, after recording 19 cases, seven deaths and 11 survivors. Local and international health officials and responders made a total of 894 identified contacts in the affected states of Lagos, Rivers, and Enugu. They also made and estimated 18,500 face-to-face contact visits.

Months before Ebola came to Nigeria, the disease had been trending in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Mali and Senegal also recorded cases.

But it was not until a month after Nigeria encountered Ebola, that the World Health Organisation, WHO, declared the West African Ebola virus disease outbreak a public health event of international concern.

Today, even as Nigeria marks the first anniversary of the memorable Ebola saga, the Ebola virus has returned to Liberia where it was earlier defeated, and is still trending in Sierra Leone.

Thousands of stories have been told about the unforgettable 2014 Ebola outbreak in the world’s most populous black nation. Some of these stories are good, others are bad, but millions of Nigerians have untold stories about their experience.
What is your Ebola story over the past year? Share your story!