Patrick Sawyer

Patrick Sawyer (c. 1974 – 24 July 2014) was a Liberian-American lawyer and naturalized U.S. citizen who was notable for being the index case for the introduction of Ebola virus disease into Nigeria during the West African Ebola epidemic in 2014.

Early life and education

Sawyer was born in Liberia around 1974. He moved to the United States in the early 2000s, where he became a naturalized citizen. He earned a degree in Political Science from Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Career

Sawyer worked as a lawyer for the Liberian Ministry of Finance. He was also an economic consultant for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Ebola virus disease

In July 2014, Sawyer became ill while in Liberia. He had been caring for his sister, who had an undiagnosed illness that was later confirmed to be Ebola. Despite his illness, Sawyer traveled by air to Nigeria, where he became critically ill and was hospitalized. He was diagnosed with Ebola, becoming the first recorded case of the disease in Nigeria. His case sparked a chain of transmission that resulted in a total of 19 confirmed cases and 7 deaths.

Death and legacy

Sawyer died from Ebola on 24 July 2014. His death and the subsequent outbreak of Ebola in Nigeria led to increased awareness and concern about the disease worldwide. It also sparked criticism of Sawyer's decision to travel while ill, and led to changes in international travel regulations related to Ebola.

See also

• 2014 Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa
• Ebola virus disease
• Epidemiology of Ebola