By Chidi Nkwopara

OWERRI—As the Ebola virus scare continues to rage in Nigeria, the people of Imo State have been advised to move all suspected cases of the dreaded virus to the infectious disease units at Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu; Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, and Imo Specialist Hospital, Owerri.

The state government also linked the prevailing high infant and under five mortality rate in the state to malnutrition.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Edward O. Ihejirika, who stated this while addressing newsmen weekend, on the preparedness of the state government to contain the Ebola scare, however, assured the citizenry that Imo was free of the dreaded virus.

“Imo people should report all suspected cases immediately to the nearest health facility or to the State Epidemiologist through 08036689953,” the commissioner pleaded.
He cautioned that those who make meals from bats, monkeys, chimpanzees and gorillas were at risk of infection, as these animals harboured the virus.

The commissioner noted that health workers and relatives of infected persons were at high risk of getting infected by the Ebola virus.
“Health workers should have a high index of suspicion and ensure the use of Personal Protective Equipment, PPE, when attending to suspected infected corpse and safe burial protocols,” the commissioner pleaded.