By Chinedum Treasure
The Anambra State Government has warned residents against drinking or bathing in saltwater as a supposed remedy for Ebola, describing the practice as false and potentially dangerous.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, said the state had recorded no Ebola case but had strengthened surveillance and emergency preparedness following concerns over a reported case in Abuja.
He said the government was working with relevant health authorities, including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), to prevent the disease from entering the state.
Obidike explained that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood and other bodily fluids of an infected person showing symptoms. He urged residents to avoid unsafe bushmeat and maintain proper hygiene.
He also advised anyone experiencing persistent fever, severe headache, joint pain or unusual weakness, particularly after possible exposure, to contact health authorities promptly and avoid self-medication.
The commissioner disclosed that a 50-year-old woman receiving treatment for Lassa fever was stable, while eight contacts were being monitored without symptoms.
He added that trained health informants had been deployed across the state’s 21 local government areas, while designated holding and isolation centres had been established in secondary and tertiary health facilities.
Obidike urged residents to avoid spreading false information and rely on verified health advice to protect themselves and their communities.
Tags: Anambra State, Ebola Alert, Public Health
