NO REPORTED CASE OF EBOLA IN RIVERS STATE – DR. PARKER

The Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tamunoiyoriari Parker has called on the people of the State to remain calm in the face of the Ebola virus scare. He said, there are no reported cases of Ebola disease in the State, adding that Government has provided all the personnel and materials needed to combat the deadly virus. In a statement made available to newsmen in his office in Port Harcourt, Dr. Parker expressed Governor Amaechi’s confidence in the capability of the Rivers State Ebola Technical Committee, describing statements made by a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Austin Opara during an interview with a radio station in Port Harcourt, to the effect that Governor Amaechi was not taking the Ebola virus seriously, as ‘‘reckless, irresponsible and unfortunate’’.

 ‘‘Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has given me everything we need to fight the Ebola virus in Rivers State and has also assured me that should we need more personnel and materials the State would provide’’ Dr. Parker said. The Health Commissioner stated that he is in touch with all agencies involved in the fight against Ebola within and outside Nigeria, including the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), Altanta and Emory University in the United States. ‘‘Discussions with these international reputable agencies and institutions have been very encouraging and our people shall soon see the benefits,’’ he declared.

Dr. Parker advised Rivers people to observe basic personal hygiene by washing their hands with soap and water regularly, avoid eating uncooked meat, handle raw meat and rodents with care.