Minister orders freedom for 70 Ebola virus suspects held in Ekok

Some 70 isolated people suspected to be carriers of the Ebola virus who entered Cameroon through Ekok in the South west region from Nigeria can now return to their homes and businesses after Public Health Minister Andre Mama Fouda ordered their release on Wednesday September 3.

The suspects comprising men, women and children entered the South West on the wake of the closure of Cameroon’s border with Nigeria in mid-August. They were immediately taken over by health and security officials of Manyu Division and placed in an isolated facility at Ekok where they were monitored every day.

Following over two weeks of thorough checkups for Ebola symptoms including fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, the suspects were diagnosed Ebola-free.

It is on this basis that Minister Fouda ordered for their immediate release while on a working visit to the South West.

Fouda further gave firm instructions to local health officials to closely monitor those who have not spent up to 21 days – the incubation period for Ebola.

The Minister’s visit to Ekok was to evaluate the implementation of measures taken by the Biya administration to prevent the entry of Ebola in Cameroon. Ekok is one of the most important entry points into the South West region of the country from Nigeria which has already registered few cases of Ebola.

Government Spokesperson Issa Tchiroma Bakary said in August that the decision to close the borders with Nigeria became inevitable, because of fears of the virus that has spread like wild fire in the West African sub-region.

“This decision on border closure and suspension of all flights to and from Nigeria was to protect the lives of Cameroonian citizens living within and outside from contracting Ebola,” he stated.

He, however, noted that the border closure and temporary suspension of flights to and from Nigeria will be for a minimum of one month. He also advised Cameroonian citizens to take the closure of borders and flight suspension seriously in protecting their lives and property.

“The border closure with our main trading partner will be lifted, as soon as Nigeria contains the spread of the deadly viral disease. We also urge all border security agencies of the two countries to be vigilant by complying with this border closures,” he added.

Fear of the Ebola disease which first appeared in 1976 in two simultaneous outbreaks, in Nzara, Sudan, and in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo continue to scare Cameroon with authorities urging strict respect of preventive measures by all and sundry.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says there is still no licensed vaccine for Ebola. Several vaccines are being tested, but none are available for clinical use. Severely ill patients require intensive supportive care.

Patients are frequently dehydrated and require oral rehydration with solutions containing electrolytes or intravenous fluids. No specific treatment is available. New drug therapies are being evaluated.