Assuring residents there is no need for panic regarding the recent Ebola virus outbreak in the country, the Anambra State government announced that monitoring and surveillance mechanisms have been fully deployed across all entry points.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, who spoke to journalists on Thursday, said the state has made all necessary preparations towards improving surveillance to detect any outbreak of Ebola in the state.
Obidike said the state Ministry of Health is working with the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to ensure increased surveillance, especially around the airport and the state’s borders.
The commissioner who held an emergency meeting with some health stakeholders following the Federal Government’s confirmation of an index case of Ebola in Abuja, told journalists that there is no confirmed case in Anambra State.
“We have deployed health officers to the Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri, motor parks and other areas for easy detection.
“We call on the people of the state to remain vigilant and cooperate with public health authorities and report any unusual symptoms to the nearest facility.
“Our preparations began long ago following the outbreak of Ebola in the region. The state’s Epidemiology Unit commenced follow up and monitoring of persons of interest referred to the state through the national surveillance system,” he added.
What You Should Know
Following the confirmation of an index Ebola case in Abuja, the Anambra State Ministry of Health has collaborated with international and national health agencies like the WHO, UNICEF, and NCDC to ramp up safety measures.
- Positive Impact: Early deployment of health officers at airports, motor parks, and borders ensures rapid detection, containment, and public safety.
- Potential Concerns: Heightened alert may cause temporary travel anxieties or increased scrutiny at state entry points, requiring public cooperation to avoid panic.
