ABUJA, Aug. 28 -- The last may not have been heard of the epidemic Ebola virus in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, where the disease has claimed five lives, an official said.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, Nigeria's minister of health, told reporters in Abuja that despite efforts at containing the Ebola Virus Disease and reduction of patients on treatment to only one person, the West African country is still at risk of the virus.

Chukwu said on Wednesday, after the weekly governing council meeting superintended by President Goodluck Jonathan, the virus may still find its way to Nigeria as long as there is a case of Ebola anywhere in the world and there is free movement of persons from country to country.

He dissuaded citizens of Nigeria from rolling out the drums and celebrate until the last case of Ebola is eliminated in the world.

Out of the 13 cases of the virus infection recorded in Nigeria, including the index case, five persons had died, seven patients were successfully managed and discharged from a treatment facility, while one patient is still under treatment, according to official statistics.

The Nigerian health official said the country will not close its borders, although screening of visitors and Nigerians coming back to the country was being intensified at the entry points. Earlier this month, Nigerian president declared a national emergency, saying a sum of 1.9 billion naira (11.6 million U.S. dollars) would be released to prevent further spread of the epidemic.

Ebola spreads through body fluids and has killed over 1,500 people in West African countries.