By Naomi Uzor

THE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, yesterday, urged that care should be taken not to escalate the ebola crisis beyond the reality of its occurrence.
President of LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello, said in a statement that there should be some measure of proportionality in media reports both locally and internationally as the ebola hype has created a disproportionate panic, anxiety and scare, and was projecting the country as endemic ebola zone.

While urging Nigerians not to escalate ebola crisis beyond the reality of its occurrence, he urged the business community and the entire citizenry to support the current efforts at containment of the disease.
Bello said that given the way it came to Nigeria, current scope of the spread and the containment strategies, the chamber was confident that before long the situation would be fully brought under control. He urged all citizens to comply with protective measures as advised by the health authorities with regard to body contacts, general hygiene and making prompt reports of suspected cases.

“LCCI regrets the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, incident in Nigeria. The incident was ordinarily avoidable but for the failure of our system which could not stop the Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer – carrier of EVD from gaining entry into our country. Nevertheless, we note with satisfaction the measures taken so far by the federal and state governments to contain the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease in the country. Official report put Ebola case at 11 with four deaths to-date. Ebola is alien to our environment and, therefore, a momentary phenomenon. There is currently the risk of international isolation, stigmatization and unwarranted discriminatory practices against the citizens travelling outside our shores. This has grave consequences for the economy and the citizens” he said.

He added that the chamber was commending the progress made so far in the containment strategies and was pleased to note the discharge of one of the victims from the hospital, adding that, they remain optimistic that the disease will be fully controlled sooner than later.