The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, on Wednesday raised the alarm that Nigeria was under threat of the Ebola virus as it has been spreading eastward towards the country.
The Minister said this while answering questions from State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said “Ebola has been moving eastward towards Nigeria as well and we are already
facing danger from the Central African Republic, even with what is happening in Congo, people are also migrating to Chad and Cameroon are also in our borders.
facing danger from the Central African Republic, even with what is happening in Congo, people are also migrating to Chad and Cameroon are also in our borders.
“So, Nigeria is in danger but we have recently said that in addition to the leaflets that we are
producing for Lassa and other fevers, we will now emphasise Ebola fever.
“As I speak to you, we have already approved four jingles to be produced in various languages for the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control to be aired on radio and television stations and newspaper adverts.
“Then we are working with all groups, just like we are doing for polio. Religious bodies, communities, traditional rulers and the media which is most important in this venture will help us to play your role by educating Nigerians.
“There is no vaccine, so it is not a question of government has not produced vaccines for Ebola or Lassa fever. If there was vaccine, government will certainly buy a stock and keep; and there is no specific treatment.”
He also urged Nigerians not to wait for three days as with Malaria before seeking medical attention, saying such a period was enough for a person infected with the Ebola disease to die.
He said “We will soon review our adverts for things like anti-malaria because they still say if you have fever, take this for three days, if you don’t improve go and see your doctor. But we are changing all that because now if you wait three days for Ebola, you are dead.”
source Naija Observer