Delta strengthens Ebola preparedness, says no case recorded

File photo: Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori

The Delta State Government says it is strengthening its preparedness against Ebola through health worker training, disease surveillance and plans to procure protective equipment, following reports of a suspected imported case in Abuja.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, on Tuesday, said this during a press briefing, adding that no Ebola case had been recorded in Delta State.

He said the state health management team convened an emergency meeting after receiving reports about a woman who arrived at the Abuja International Airport from abroad.

“When we received news of the reported case involving a woman who arrived at the Abuja International Airport from abroad, we convened an emergency meeting of the health management team to reassess our preparedness in case of an outbreak in the state,” Onojaeme said.

The commissioner said the state was carrying out advocacy and sensitisation activities, training health workers and strengthening disease surveillance as part of its preparedness measures.

He added that the government was working to procure personal protective equipment for health workers who might manage suspected cases.

“We are taking the necessary steps to ensure that the state is prepared,” he said.

Onojaeme’s comments followed questions from journalists about public awareness and the steps being taken to prepare communities, markets and motor parks for a possible outbreak.

The commissioner, however, did not provide figures for the number of health workers trained, details of the sensitisation activities, the status of protective equipment procurement or the arrangements for isolation and treatment facilities.

He also did not give details of any contact-tracing activities in Delta State, saying no case had been recorded in the state.

The state government’s preparedness measures come amid concerns about the need for early detection, public awareness and adequate protection for health workers in the event of an outbreak.