Delta state government has frowned at myriad of claims by certain traditional medicine practitioners and spiritual healers in the state who say they can cure persons infected with the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

The state government, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah Esq and made available to Blank NEWS Online on Thursday, September 4, 2014 vowed to arrest anybody that makes such claims.

The statement reads:

“The attention of the Delta State Government has been drawn to claims by some individuals, especially traditional medicine practitioners and spiritual healers bordering on their purported ability to cure the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

“These claims are completely false, untenable, dangerous and represent a threat to public health. It is hereby restated that there is no known cure yet for the Ebola Virus Disease. The media, especially television and radio broadcast houses should refrain from promoting any claim of cure for EVD by any unorthodox medical practitioner. Any jingle and promotional programme claiming to have the cure for EVD should no longer be broadcast.

“Traditional medical practitioners and spiritual healers are hereby warned to desist from making any claim of cure for EVD. Anybody that makes such claims again will be considered a threat to public health and arrested by the relevant security agencies.

“The World Health Organisation (WHO) and health agencies in Nigeria have made it clear that observance of strict hygiene and health rules to stave off contact with the disease remain the best option. Experts have also advised that regular washing of hands with soap, avoiding contact with infected persons and avoiding eating bush meat not sufficiently cooked will protect everybody from being infected with the disease.

“The governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, CON, has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Ebola Virus Outbreak Preparedness and Response Committee to superintendent efforts at preventing an outbreak of EVD in Delta State.

“We hereby assure all residents of Delta State there is no outbreak of EVD in the state. However, everybody should remain vigilant and observe basic rules of cleanliness.

Anybody with information on probable outbreak of the disease should contact the Committee on the following numbers:
08037857479, 08063927202, 07037120510 and 08037438829. SMS Centre: 32581.”