By Ifeizu Joe
The Anambra state government has urged citizens of the state not to panic over the recent outbreak of Ebola virus in the country.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike who spoke to journalists said the state has put all necessary preparations towards improving surveillance to dictate any outbreak of Ebola in the state
Obidike said the state ministry of health together with the World Health Organization , UNICEF and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control were working closely to ensure increased surveillance especially around the airport and borders of the state.
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 social gathering 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 nearest facility.
“Our preparedness effort began long ago following the outbreak of Ebola in the region when the state Epidemiology Unit commenced follow up and monitoring of persons of interest referred to the state’s preparedness effort through the national surveillance system.”
