The Brong Ahafo Regional Directorate of Health has cautioned the general public that it will be suicidal to shift focus of the human to human mode of transmission of the Ebola virus to the existence of the bats in the region’s Buoyam Caves.
The region has been identified as one of the high risk areas in the country due to the presence of the bats at Buoyam Caves which have tested positive with Ebola antigens.
[contextly_sidebar id=”a2ZKH0DIja0DfvUaTBQtXwWUovPhuW7x”]Citi News’ Brong Ahafo Regional Correspondent Kwadwo Brefo reported that the Regional Health Director, Dr. Timothy Letcher confirmed the results of the test carried out on the bats in the region.
“It was a collaborative research that was conducted by the veterinary in the region,” he said.
According to him, the Ghana Health Service in the region cannot do much to assist residents because “because the transmission of the Ebola now is from human to human.”
Dr. Letcher clarified that the research was conducted some time ago therefore, “if there was anything to be done, we would have done” insisting that “right now, and attention should not be shifted to the bats.”
Kwadwo Brefo also reported that patronage of the Buoyam Caves in the region has drastically reduced following the outbreak of Ebola is neighbouring West African nations.
The Officer in charge of the caves, Nana Adjei Ameyaw told Citi News that although no official ban has been placed on visits to the cave by authorities in the region, patronage has ceased.
He said residents and tourists are afraid to enter the caves because of fear of contracting the virus.
Ameyaw nonetheless advised tourists not to be afraid “because it is not easy to get to where the bats are in the caves unless you are being led by the officers to the inner enclave.”
The consumption of bush meat in the region is said to have significantly reduced as chop bars and eateries have stopped the patronage of bush meat.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health says it has intensified education on the Ebola disease in the region.
The Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Health, Tony Goodman disclosed that research is currently being carried out for further advice on the issue.
“We are working with other research bodies so if a research is conducted and whatever advise there is, it will be communicated to the national technical committee to for the notice of the inter-ministerial committee as well,” he said.
By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana