Death of Accra Bound Passenger Sparks Ebola Panic at MMIA

There was panic among paasengers, especially those at the departure hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) on Monday following the death of an Accra (Ghana) bound passenger.

The passenger later identified by Airport Authorities as Mr. Akunne Osei, was said to have slumped while on queue for clearance by airport staff; however his death raised fears among other passengers who thought Ebola virus was the immediate cause of the death.

Meanwhile, Mr. Yakubu Dati, general manager, Corporate Communications at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said that the Nigerian passenger residing in Accra who arrived Lagos for business transactions aboard an Arik Air flight on Friday August 8, 2014 died at the Murtala Mohammad Airport, Ikeja on his way back to Accra.

He said, "The passenger, Mr. Akunne Osei took ill on Saturday August 9 and started stooling. When the situation got worse, he called his doctor in Accra who instructed him to return to Ghana immediately for further treatment.

During boarding formalities for his return trip to Accra, at the international terminal of MMA, Mr. Osei, who had obviously become weak at this time, was subjected to Ebola Virus test by port health officials, the result of which was negative.

"No further attention was paid to him after his Ebola Virus result read negative but the passenger later slumped and died around the port health office.

"This release is necessary to forestall the possible dissemination of unfounded and misleading media reports on the unfortunate incident".