Panic, Tension In Jos Over Rumours Of Ebola Virus

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News From The State Friday, August 8th, 2014

Agabus Pwanagba, Jos

Panic and high tension have gripped residents of Jos, the Plateau State capital over rumours that the deadly Ebola virus is in the city.

African Examiner gathered that text messages are going round that the virus is now in the state capital.

The text message is advising residents to drink and bath with salt water before going out of their houses as a precautionary measure.

The rumour, which started in the early hours of Friday has forced many residents to adhere to the warning of the text message, by drinking and bathing with salt water.

However, the Plateau State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Fom Dakwak denied any claim of Ebola in the state saying “there has been no reported case of the dreaded Ebola virus in any parts of Plateau.”

A statement made available to African Examiner in Jos, and signed by the Health Commissioner urged “residents not to panic, but adhere to precautionary measures and go about their normal businesses,” adding that governments at all levels are doing everything possible to prevent any further spread in the country.

Meanwhile, as the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) gets worse and number of reported cases of infected persons increases in the country, President Goodluck Jonathan has summoned an emergency meeting in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja to chart the way forward.

African Examiner Correspondent in FCT gathered that on top of the meeting agenda is exhaustive discussion on how to check and put final stop to further spread of the deadly virus in the country.

The deadly virus has so far killed 2 people in Lagos-a nurse and a Liberian man who brought the virus to Nigeria.