By peter uzoma & okey alozie
There is uneasy calm in Imo state, especially in satellite towns of Ubakuru Mbieri and Umuneke Ubomiri all in Mbaitoli local govt area of Imo state where unconfirmed reports of two alleged Ebola suspects are said to have been discovered even as the state government has debunked reports and previous speculations that are not connected with this present development.
In monitored reports in the state, the commissioner for health, Dr Edward Ihejirika has always described the speculations as false and figments of the imagination of detractors aimed at discrediting the administration as it hosts the All Progressive Congress, APC 3rd Progressive Governance summit.
But investigations carried out by Trumpeta following fledging reports indicate that a lady from Ubakuru Mbieri who returned from Lagos about four weeks ago is suspected to have contradictory sickness many raised alarm is related to the Ebola virus, a situation which presently has caused stampede in the area.
A source told Trumpeta that last Sunday, family members of the suspected lady were driven away from the church and market while many families have vacated their homes for fear of infection in the area.
At Umuneke Ubonmiri another lady suspect who was said to have returned from Port Harcourt in Rivers State was believed to have died of the dreaded virus.
When Trumpeta called at Nwaorieubi the local government area headquarters, it was a state of pandemonium as the Transition Committee Chairman, Dr Pat Nnah was busy taking brief from heads of health department on the development.
In an interview later, Dr Pat Nnah who dismissed the entire scenario as blatant lies however said the health department of the council has been having correspondences since the 29th of August, 2014 when the speculation was rife.
He said that the Ubakuru suspect has been taken to the General Hospital, Umuguma for confirmation by staff of the health department who wore protective uniforms adding that a public enlightenment exercise has also been carried there with the assistance of Eze of Amike, Eze Emeruom to sensitize the people and assuage their fears on the claimed outbreak.
The transition committee chairman said he has also gone on air to assure people of the local government area of their safety while urging them not to panic. While our reporter was still reviewing the situation, a health department staff rushed into the chairman’s office to break the news of another woman who came in from Lagos and died raising fear and concern among relatives. The Health staff raised fear among council workers.
Concerning the situation at Umueke Ubonmiri the TC chairman said he has put a call across to a traditional ruler in the area for details on the development.
A staff of the health department who spoke under anonymity complained of the danger staff of the department are exposed in the area of medical protectives which have even scared them from getting real close to the suspected victims.
As at the time of going to press, there has not been any categorical statements on the status of the two lady suspects our reporter who also moved to the General Hospital, Umuguma, off Port Harcourt road for further details was unsuccessful as he was not given adequate attention by medical personnel on ground. A call to the health commissioner was left unanswered.
Meanwhile, Imo state government is taking drastic measures to prevent the dreaded Ebola virus spreadinmg into the state.
Speaking to journalists at Dan Anyiam’s Stadium, Owerri last week during a public function, the State Health Commissioner , Dr Ihejirika disclosed that dictating devices have been brought to conduct thorough screening at public places and Hotels to checkmate the dreaded (Ebola)
He revealed that the screening agents will be at strategic places including the state boundaries to make sure that those coming inside Imo are Ebola free.
He explained that in any public functions, screening agents will be at the entrance to examine and check the Health status of every body no matter his or her rank or position.
He further explained that the members of Nigerian Bar Association who stormed Owerri recently for their conference were all screened at the gate before the entered the Hall
Information also revealed that the former Vice President of Nigeria, Abubakar Atiku and All the APC Governors were all screened at the entrance of Imo Government House before they were allowed to go in for the crucial meeting the held with Governor Rochas Okorocha early this week.
The Transport Commissioner as we learnt has also held meetings with Hotel owners and operators of various eatery joints in the state.
