FG debunks Ebola
FG debunks Ebola Virus presence in Nigeria
The Federal Government has described as false, the message
circulating in the social media purporting a positive case of Ebola
Virus Disease (EVD) in the Country.
Speaking today in his office, the Permanent Secretary, Federal
Ministry of Health, Mr. Abdullaziz Mashi Abdullahi, called on
members of the public to disregard the rumour and discourage the
circulation of any unverified information, which he said, could
cause harm to innocent people and unnecessary panic among the
citizens.
He assured that since the reports of outbreak of EVD in the
Democratic Republic of Congo, heightened surveillance had been
on-going at the various points of entry by officials of the Port
Health Services division of the Ministry to prevent importation
into Nigeria. To this effect, every sick passenger has been
properly screened and ‘’I can say categorically that none of the
patients screened has tested positive for Ebola or any deadly
disease.’’
The Permanent Secretary noted that in line with WHO’s
guidelines, a recent preliminary risk assessment conducted by the
Nigeria Ebola Preparedness team, coordinated by the Nigeria Centre
for Disease Control (NCDC) indicated that the overall risk of
importation of EVD to Nigeria from Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC) and Uganda is low; but we are not resting on our oars in view
of trading activities of Nigerians.
He assured that the Nigerian Government remained fully
committed, while working closely with the WHO, State Ministries of
Health, partners and all other stakeholders, to protect the health
of all Nigerians.
‘’However, necessary protocols are being followed in line with
international Health Regulations, ’he said.
Boade Akinola,
Director, Media and Public Relations