From Raji Bello, Sokoto
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, has appealed to the general public not to stimulate fear or apprehension over the recent Ebola cases in the country, saying the Federal Government was committed to containing its spread.
Giving an update on the recent Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) case, during an interview with journalists in Sokoto, at the weekend, Alhassan maintained that about 200 people are currently under surveillance in the recent case in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, after being identified for having contact with an index victim.
Alhassan also advised those under surveillance to strictly adhere to mandates given to them by the health officials.
He noted that getting the understanding and cooperation of the public, especially those placed under quarantine remained the greatest challenge in curtailing the virus.
“Our health experts are visiting them in their various houses with high professionalism. We urge them to remain calm and adhere to instructions been given to them until they are been cleared,” he said.
The Minster assured that the scourge had already been contained in Lagos state while a special team was mobilised to Rivers state to contain it.
His words: “Presently, a specialised team, comprising staff members of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Centre for Disease Control, Atlanta, United States and Geneva and Medecin Sans Frontiers, are already in Port Harcourt to address the situation.
“We are confident we have won the war in Lagos, though we still have one patient receiving attention there but we are still not out of the woods yet. So, Nigerians should remain calm, as we are adequately prepared to contain the spread of the scourge,” he said.
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