The Director of Health in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem district in the Central region, Kofi Mends Kwaning has dismissed reports of alleged an Ebola-related death in the area.
Some residents in the area have expressed fears of a possible outbreak of the disease in the area after the death of a 46-year-old woman after visiting the area.
But speaking on Eyewitness News on Friday, Mr. Mends Kwaning said: ‘’as at now we can’t confirm that there is Ebola; what is being circulated about is that there was a suspected case at Komenda.’’
He stated that investigations have revealed that the woman who died a week ago Monday was a known to be suffering from hypertension and diabetes.
According to him reports that the woman was killed by Ebola maybe ‘’because she had relatives who visited from Liberia and she also arrived from Liberia in February this year [2014].
Reports indicate that residents in fishing communities in the Central Region live in anxiety as fishermen returning from Liberia are not screened for the Ebola virus.
Mr. Kwaning said the Regional Health Service plans to educate the people about the Ebola virus and also ensure that the surveillance team in the area monitors people arriving from neighbouring countries daily.
‘’Our surveillance team is ready,’’ he added.
He added that an autopsy will be conducted to ensure the true cause of death of the lady. ‘’Preliminary investigation is underway and the dead body has been isolated,’’ he added.
Meanwhile the World Health Organization (WHO) head, Margaret Chan said the Ebola outbreak in West Africa is spreading faster than efforts to control it.
She told a summit of regional leaders that the failure to contain it could be catastrophic in terms.
But she said the virus, which has claimed 729 lives in four West African countries since February, could be stopped if well managed.
Ebola kills up to 90% of those infected.
The Ebola virus has been confirmed in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
The government is implementing measures to prevent an outbreak.
By: Evans Effah/citifmonline.com/Ghana