Lagos still under threat of trans-border transmission of Ebola virus

The Lagos State Government on Thursday said the state was still under threat of trans-border transmission of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) from the virus ravaged neighbouring countries.

Dr Jide Idris, the Commissioner for Health, made the assertion said in Ikeja while receiving some Ebola virus preventive materials donated by Neimeith Pharmaceutical Plc to the state government.

He said though the last case under observation would be discharged later on Thursday, the state had yet to be free from the threats of EVD in spite of its successful containment.

According to him, Lagos State has been very lucky and proactive in the containment of the disease.

“So far, for over a week, we have not recorded any new case. We have followed up on all the contacts.

“In fact, the last contact should be delisted today, all things going on well.”

“But, as long as we still have the situation in Liberia, Sierria-Leone and Guinea, we are not out of the woods yet because there is still the possibility and every potential that the virus could be re-introduced here,” Idris said.

The commissioner said the Federal Government had been proactive too in manning all the nation’s bothers as part of the precautionary measures against the spread of the virus.

“But, we should not rest on our oars, and that is why we are trying to sensitise the public on the virus. We are to continue with every major strategy we started with. And, we hope we don`t record any new case,” Idris said.

The commissioner said that the state government would continue to train health workers to continue to respond and take steps to keep the environment safe.

Idris said the state government had started to provide potable water and sanitary facilities in schools ahead of Sept. 22 resumption to eliminate threats of the disease in schools.

He advised residents to maintain good environment and good personal hygiene, saying that these would help to reduce the risk of infections.

The commissioner commended Neimeith for donating the items, saying that they would boost the state government`s preventive strategy against the virus.

Presenting the items, Mr Emmanuel Ekunno, Neimeth`s Managing Director, said the donation was to further support the war against EVD in the state.

Ekunno said the items which comprised 1,000 NCP fungicidal packs and some sensitisation materials were a response to take preventive steps to keep safe.

He described Ebola virus as serious health threat and expressed optimism that the items would significantly help to eliminate its threat.

Ekunno commended the state government for the successful containment of the virus.

According to him, but for its proactiveness and its results-oriented approach, the problem would have resulted in a disaster.

“We commend the proactive, timely and unrelenting efforts of the Lagos State Government in putting in place adequate measures to contain the Ebola Virus Disease.

“The concentric circle strategy of the Lagos State Government at monitoring and quarantining the index case, primary and secondary contacts has proved very effective in containing what would have been disastrous.”