Ebola: Disregard salt, water as preventive measure — Kogi commissioner

From Usman A. Bello, Lokoja

The Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr Idris Omede, has called on residents in the state to disregard the rumour that salt and water solution can prevent Ebola virus. Omede, who stated this at the weekend during the flag-off of the 2014 Immunisation Plus Days in Lokoja, the state capital, described the rumour as a lie aimed at creating confusion in the country.

He said that for now, no scientific proof has shown that water and salt can cure the Ebola disease, saying that people should only listen to professional advice from the Ministry of Health officials and change their cultural habits such as handshaking.

He advised residents to avoid eating bush meat and imbibe the culture of hand-washing and other personal hygiene practices that will help in checking the spread of the disease.

Also speaking, Governor Idris Wada, who was represented by his deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, advised residents to take necessary measures to safeguard themselves against the Ebola virus by keeping their environments clean and ensuring that sanitary standards are observed in their eating habits.

He also advised them to avoid the consumption of bush meat, especially fruit bats, monkeys, chimpanzees and antelopes. He, however, called on health workers in the state to dedicate more energy and zeal to the fight against the Ebola virus.