Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu activate response mechanisms against Ebola spread
Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu activate response mechanisms against Ebola spread
The governments of Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states have announced the activation of comprehensive response measures aimed at preventing the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) across the South-East region.
The states made the disclosure in separate interviews while reacting to a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) survey on preparedness against the disease. Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu activate…. emergency response mechanisms and strengthen surveillance systems to guard against any possible outbreak.
NAN reports that the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have identified some states as being at high risk of Ebola importation due to heavy trade activities, airports and border movements.
The NCDC has also urged states with international airports and high volumes of interstate travel to establish Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) as part of preparedness efforts.
Although Anambra was not listed among the high-risk states, the government said it was not taking any chances because of its proximity to Enugu, one of the states classified as high risk.
According to the Anambra Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, surveillance has been intensified in health facilities, border communities and other strategic locations, while healthcare workers have been placed on alert to ensure rapid detection and response to suspected cases.
He said the state remains committed to disease prevention and public safety as Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu activate…. coordinated measures to enhance readiness and protect residents from the threat of Ebola.
He added that emergency response teams had also been mobilised and public awareness campaigns would commence to educate residents on preventive measures.
The commissioner urged residents to maintain good hygiene practices, avoid unnecessary physical contact with sick persons and promptly report any suspected symptoms to the nearest health facility.
Obidike reassured the public that the government was working closely with relevant health agencies to ensure the state remained free of the disease.
According to him, the Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration remains committed to safeguarding the health of residents and will continue to monitor developments while implementing all recommended preventive measures against Ebola.
The Enugu State Government, in its own contributions, says it has activated Enugu State Public Health Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) on Ebola Prevention for the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, told NAN that the EOC was made up of major health stakeholders and partners.
Ugwu noted that in the inaugural meeting on Monday, principal officers and leads of the various arms of the EOC were constituted and inaugurated.
He said that the EOC also developed and lined up the incident management structure for the state as well.
Read Also: Renaissance energy coy tops Africa’s oil and gas producers chart
The commissioner noted that it also identified response pillars, which included: surveillance, point of entry screening, risk communication, training of frontline health workers among others.
He said that the centre also resolved to set-up a functional isolation/holding facility at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) Parklane, Enugu.
“There is no need to panic as the disease is not in the country; even as we create awareness and raise level of alertness about the disease.
“We want our people to up their game and get serious on health, hygiene and environmental cleanliness as well as need to visit health facilities and not engage in self medication, if sick.
“Our health-loving governor, Dr Peter Mbah, is committed to ensuring that the EOC, entire health system and residents brace up for effective prevention of the disease.
“The state Ministry of Health will leave no stone unturned to ensure protection of the residents of the state,” he assured.
Ugwu noted that the centre would be interfacing and engaging with officials and stakeholders of various entry points in the state to ensure seamless operations.
The symptoms of the viral disease are: fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, bleeding and shock.
In Ebonyi, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma said there was no case of Ebola in the state.
Ekuma said that Ebonyi was prepared to avert any outbreak of Ebola in the state.
Dr Ekuma said that the major cause of Ebola included the consumption of antelope, Fruitbats, apes and monkeys.
He charged the citizens to stop eating any of all these that was not certified by veterinary doctors.
The commissioner further outlined fever, sore throat, weakness and fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, aches and pains of the muscles and loss of appetite as the symptoms of Ebola.
He advised Ebonyi residents to avoid direct contact with the blood and bodily fluids of an infected person, keep personal hygiene, avoid sex with an infected person, conduct safe burial of a person who died of Ebola and using of government approved vaccines.
The commissioner stated that awareness had been created among Ebonyi residents to report any case of Ebola in the state.
Dr Uchenna Nelson, Chief Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, said the hospital had no record of Ebola case.
He expressed high level of preparedness to tackle the disease in any case of eventuality.
Also responding, a resident of Abakiliki, Mrs Okey Sandra said she had not heard of any case of Ebola in Ebonyi.
She said that the family was prepared to prevent any of her members from falling victim in case of Ebola outbreak in the state.
In a related development, Mr. Sunday Nweke, a resident of Ikwo, called on the government to create more awareness in the rural areas as “prevention is better than cure”.
