Liberia’s new Ebola cases cause concern

Sequel to the resurgence of the Ebola Virus Disease in Liberia and Sierra Leone, the Lagos State Government has urged members of the public to maintain regular personal and environmental hygiene.

A statement by the Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations, Mr. Tunbosun Ogunsanwo, quoted the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Modele Osunkiyesi, as saying that the essence was to prevent Ebola from gaining incursion into the state and the country at large.

Osunkiyesi, while detailing the strategies put in place by the state government to prevent Ebola resurgence after the World Health Organisation had certified the state free of the virus on October 20, 2014, said the state government, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and other stakeholders, was maintaining relevant surveillance through the Port Health Services and community surveillance activities in all local government areas.

While noting that Ebola prevention was a shared responsibility, Osunkiyesi said although there had not been any reported case of the virus in Nigeria, there was need by residents to take responsibility for their health.

She urged residents to observe the highest possible standards of personal and environmental hygiene through regular washing of hands with soap and running water; avoiding close contact with sick people and ensuring that objects used by the sick were decontaminated and properly disposed, among others.

Osunkiyesi explained that EVD could be spread through close contact with the blood, body fluids, organs and tissues of infected animals; direct contact with the blood, body fluids, and tissues of infected persons; and handling sick or dead infected animals such as monkeys and bats.

She noted that the counselling was informed by the confirmed cases of EVD in Liberia ─ with one of the victims being a 17-year-old boy ─ 52 days after the WHO declared the country Ebola-free.

Osunkiyesi said, “Lagosians are advised to remain calm, as the government remains committed to protecting citizens’ health. Health workers are also enjoined to keep observing the universal safety precautions when dealing with patients.

“For more information or clarification, please call 08023169485 or 08052817243.”

[Punchng.com]