Kaduna First Lady dissociates self from text messages on Ebola

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The wife of Kaduna state governor, Hajiya Fatima Mukhtar Ramalan Yero has dispelled the rumour credited to her office that Kaduna residents should bathe with hot water mixed with salt and drink same. In a statement, signed by her press secretary, A’isha Sani Junaid, she denied that the Kaduna First Lady had at no time, with any individual, group or during any fora made such an unsubstantiated remarks said to be credited to her.

Hajiya Fatima Yero, therefore disassociated herself and her office from rumor, which according to her, is capable of causing disaffection and endangering the health of the populace.

However, Hajiya Yero warned that Ebola virus is real, deadly and has no cure and vaccine and that until a cure is found it remains deadly.

She therefore advised people to listen to and take only verified information concerning the virus, ways of contacting it and its preventive measure.

It could be recalled that Kaduna residents were thrown into a state of confusion and commotion over text messages that were sent to their hand sets by yet to be identified group.  The text message that started coming in around 2am Friday morning came with strong warning such as: “For the protection of yourself and family, boil hot water now and add salt to it.  Use the mixture to take a bath to keep Ebola virus out of your door step. Another text message reads:”For you not to be infected by Ebola virus, kindly add salt in a bucket of water and bath with it before day break.  Say no to Ebola disease.

Also reacting, Kaduna state commissioner of Health, Dr. Thot Dogo called on residents to ignore such texts, attributing it to the handiwork of mischief-makers, who are bent on creating unnecessary panic in the town.