Daily Independent reports that workers, and patients at the hospital
scampered for safety after a doctor raised a false alarm that a patient
who arrived from Port Harcourt, was an EVD patient.
It was gathered that patients, nurses and some doctors in the
hospital ran out of the premises with the false information the newly
arrived patient was suffering from Ebola. The rumour which reportedly
spread like wild fire got residents panicking.
A nurse, who spoke on condition anonymity, revealed that a
doctor raised the false alarm while diagnosing a patient who was
manifesting some symptoms suspected to be Ebola disease.
“I left the hospital and there is serious tension and panic there. Though we are yet to confirm but I believe it is not Ebola,” she said.
Reacting to the incident, Sunday Nwangele, the state Commissioner for
health, disclosed that the state government has raised the Rapid
Respond Team and Treatment Committee saddled with the responsibility of
handling issues of EVD in the state.
He urged residents not to be scared, and confirmed that the hospital
incident was a false alarm. The commissioner further revealed that the
patient was suffering from peptic ulcer and insisted that there was no
Ebola in the state.
Nwangele, urged residents to adhere to the universal precautions
already practiced, which is regular washing of hands, using sanitizers,
avoiding trips to Ebola virus affected destinations, restriction of
conveyance of corpses as well as reduce physical contacts with people.
