The Rivers State government declared yesterday that it is carrying out an investigation into the possible cause of the death of a health worker in the state, who recently died of fever and diarrhoea.

The state government stated that the investigation is being carried out by experts from the state Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Federal Ministry of Health, and a United States-based group, the Elizabeth R. Griffin Foundation. Some experts from the US-based group are currently in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital training medical personnel in government and private hospitals and clinics on how to detect and treat the dreaded Ebola virus.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, who disclosed this while briefing journalists in Port Harcourt, yesterday, insisted that the state is yet to record any case of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). He pleaded with people to stop peddling rumours, which according to him, have caused panic in the state.

Parker also cautioned hospitals and clinics to stop rejecting patients with fever and diarrhoea, pointing out that “such persons should be handled with a high degree of caution and suspicion.”  

The Commissioner however warned the public to stop unnecessary body contacts with people for the time being as a preventive measure.

Dr. Parker stressed,  “there have been rumours making the rounds which have led to panic and patients being rejected in hospitals. Let me make it clear that no patient should be turned back from any hospital but utmost safety precautions and protocols should be observed in any case of high fever and diarrhoea.

He confirmed: “We are aware of the death of a health worker who had fever and diarrhoea. However, tests and investigations are being carried out by a team of experts from Rivers State Ministry of Health, WHO, FMOH in charge of Emergency Ebola Operations (EOP) and Elizabeth R. Griffin, Research Foundations, USA. I urge you, as a precautionary measure, to refrain from unnecessary body contact.”