Oyo begins 24-hour surveillance

Oyo State Health Commissioner Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin has said the Abiola Ajimobi administration has begun a 24-hour monitoring and tracking of the 33 local government areas to prevent the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

In a statement yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, Gbadegesin said the government was placing emphasis on the boundaries in Saki West, Iwajowa, Atisbo and Itesiwaju local government areas to ensure the virus does not enter the state through the boundaries.

The commissioner said the tracking of foreigners coming into and leaving the state was also ongoing.

He said: “There is also a strong collaboration with officials of the Federal Ministry of Health, other Southwest ministries of Health, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan on surveillance, tracking and case management of suspected, probable or confirmed cases.”

Gbadegesin urged the public to maintain proper personal hygiene, such as regular handwashing with soap and water.

The comissioner urged the people to report anyone having fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, rashes and bleeding or anybody who might have died due to cause(s) not known, to the nearest health facility.

Also, the Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has urged the state government to establish an emergency preparedness centre to curtail the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

Its Chairman Dr Muideen Olatunji addressed reporters yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, on the Health sector.