Two Guineans and a Nigerian have been isolated and kept under close observation at Imeko – Afon, Ogun border community with the Republic of Benin.
The three who entered Nigeria illegally through the porous Ogun border community, were intercepted by the operative of the Ports Health Services(PHS) and put on close watch following the suspects’ inability to convince the officials that they had no primary or secondary contact with Ebola Virus Disease(EVD).
The Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka made this known to reporters in Abeokuta, the state capital, while intimating them on the efforts of the state government to prevent the spread of the virus in the state.
According Soyinka, the Guineans and a Nigerian, were returning from Guinea last Friday and had attempted to use illegal route at the border when the PHS officials accosted and questioned them on their EVD status.
Soyinka said having failed to prove they were EVD-free, the officials prevented them from entering Nigeria and also put under observation where they would be undergoing medical tests for 21 days.
The Commissioner said there are now three isolation centres one in each of the three Senatorial districts in the state, adding that the government would be establishing more centres in the 20 local governments of the state.
He equally disclosed that the Ogun government “has taken delivery of its preventive suits and other equipment needed for the isolation centres as it is ready to take in patient if necessary” while no fewer than 50 people have enlisted as volunteers in the event of emergency.”
He said that “as part of our emergency response plan, government is compiling a list of volunteers who can be called upon for a variety of task if we need to escalate our activities.”
The Commissioner also urged residents to remain calm and avoid having direct contact with the body fluids of an infected person and maintain personal hygiene with regular hand washing and use sanitisers.
He advised the people that “if you suspect Ebola, contact health authorities immediately on these hotlines: 09021715984, 09099140121, 09099140122.
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