The Anambra Commissioner for Health, Mr Josephat Akabuike, has warned the residents to desist from having contact and eating bush meats to guard against Ebola virus.
Akabuike told newsmen in Awka on Thursday that the disease could be contacted through the preparation of the bush meats.
“However, no case of Ebola has been recorded in the state but those eating bush meat should stop taken it for now until further notice,’’ he said.
According to him, from investigations so far, there is no trace of Ebola virus in the state and the Federal Government has given the state a clean bill.
“Anambra has been given a clean bill. There is no Ebola in the state and we are taken the necessary measure not to allow it in the state,’’ he said.
He said the ministry had investigated the alarm raised in some parts of the state about the virus, adding that the alarm was false.
Akabuike said the state government had established four isolation centres at the General Hospitals, in Amaku, Ekwulobia, Onitsha and Osamara.
He said that state government had also ordered the ministry of health to acquire at least 400 Personal Protective Equipment to prevent health workers in the state from contacting the virus.
The commissioner said the state government had instituted a rapid response team saddled with the responsibility of responding to emergencies.
Akabuike said the state had concluded plans to train physicians on how to manage persons with suspected cases of Ebola virus.
“We are also doing public enlightenment through the media, communities and churches to keep people at alert,” he said.
He urged the people to constantly wash their hands to avoid being infected.
The commissioner said the symptoms include malaria, persistent diarrhea, fever, weakness, waist pain and bleeding from nose, ears and eyes.
According to him, the virus can also be contacted through sexual intercourse.
“Ebola virus is incurable but symptomatic treatment can be given to the patient for rehabilitation.
“The state government has acquired equipment for health workers to protect them from contracting the virus,’’ he said.
