Akwa Ibom Govt Debunks Rumours Of Ebola

The Akwa Ibom State government has debunked rumours of reported cases of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease in the state, describing them as false.

There have been publications on the internet claiming there were reports that the Ebola virus had spread to Akwa Ibom State days after a health worker tested positive in neighbouring Rivers State.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Aniekan Umanah, in a joint statement with his Health counterpart, Dr. Ememabasi Bassey, said so far, no case of Ebola had been established in the State.

According to the statement, the rumoured Ebola case at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital was unfounded, as “the medical authorities confirmed it to be case of allergies. In the case of the dead body brought in from Port Harcourt in Rivers State, it was confirmed that the deceased died of renal failure and was buried in his community”.

The statement indicated that the lady alleged to have had contact with the Ebola case in Port Harcourt, was traced to Aba and not Akwa Ibom.

The said lady, has however, “been certified free of the Ebola virus”.

Calling for universal action against the virus from both medical workers and citizens, the commissioners, mentioned that the state government had formed a task force to prevent the disease from gaining entry into the state and was also involved in inter-state collaboration against the disease.

“The State government has so far acquired hand-held infrared screening machines and no passenger passes through Akwa Ibom airport without being screened. More machines have been acquired for distribution to strategic places, in order to ensure adequate coverage of the Ebola screening exercise in the State,” the statement further read.

Mr Umanah while enjoining citizens to discountenance the rumour on Ebola, said the government had stepped-up enlightenment programmes on radio, Televison and handbills, with a view to ensuring that citizens take adequate precaution against the deadly virus.