Ebola: Amaechi charges Rivers people to be vigilant
(Nigeria )
Rivers State Governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi on Thursday, asked the people of the
state to be vigilant and report any suspected case of Ebola Virus Disease to
the state government.
Amaechi in a live broadcast, in Port Harcourt, said “My dear people of Rivers State ,
we woke up this morning to the sad confirmation that the dreaded ebola virus
disease has claimed its first victim in Rivers State .
“Dr. Iyke Sam Enemuo died last Friday, August 22, 2014 as a
result of what was suspected to be ebola virus disease. The State Ministry of
Health on becoming aware of the conditions of his death, immediately commenced
investigations and contact tracing. “As at today, about 100 contacts from a
hotel, patients of Dr. Enemuo and patients of the hospital where the late
Enemuo was treated until his demise have been identified and restricted. The
different locations are being decontaminated.
Our investigations reveal that:
A staff of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS,
on the team that received late Dr. Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian American
diplomat who died of ebola haemorrhagic disease in Lagos ,
Nigeria made a trip to Port Harcourt where he
checked into a hotel and met with Dr. Iyke Sam Enemuo.
About a week after his departure, Dr. Iyke Enemuo took ill
and was rushed to a hospital with symptoms of fever, diarrhea and vomiting. In
the course of treatment, the managing physician became suspicious and took
blood samples for investigation.
A few days later, Dr. Iyke Enemuo died, precisely on August
22, 2014. Dr. Iyke Enemuo’s widow, who is also a medical doctor and who cared
for him during his illness has taken ill. She is being quarantined.
The diplomat who was seen by late Dr. Iyke Enemuo is alive
and well.
There’s no need to panic. Everyone should remain calm and go
about their normal businesses. The Government of Rivers State is doing
everything possible to contain the effects and spread of the ebola virus.
“We have the material and human resources we need to fight
and defeat the deadly virus. Officials from the Federal Ministry of Health and
other international agencies are already here working with the state ministry
of health to contain and combat the virus.
“Now, we must all endeavour to adhere to basic hygiene
rules. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water and avoid unnecessary body
contacts like shaking of hands.
Anyone with symptoms indicative of diarrhea, high fever,
vomiting, abdominal pain, excessive weakness of the body and unexplained
bleeding, should call these our ebola emergency numbers: 08167733939,
07036321076, 08033124314 or our State emergency call centre: 112.
“It is a known fact that early detection and appropriate
medical attention increases the chances of survival of an infected person. People
have survived Ebola and more people can survive it. There is no need or reason
to hide or run away. Seek immediate medical help. Call our Ebola help lines.”
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