The Incident Manager of the Ebola Emergency Operations Centre (EEOC), Port Harcourt, Dr Faisal Shuaib, has stressed that schools should not ask parents to produce certificates showing their children are Ebola-free, adding that no such certificates are issued to the general public.
Shuaib, who is responsible for ensuring uniformity in the response to the Ebola outbreak, stated, “We have heard that some schools are asking parents for certificates showing their children do not have Ebola. Some embassies have also asked for such certificates in order to deliver visas.”
“Let us be clear: no such certificate is issued to the general public.
According to him, “Certificates are only given to people who recovered from an Ebola infection. The document certifies that they are completely Ebola-free. In addition people who are medically monitored for 21 days because they had contact with an infected person are given a letter acknowledging that they have not developed the disease.
He added that “There is absolutely no need for school children and the general public to have such a certificate. What is needed is a sound understanding of how the disease is transmitted and how one can protect oneself.
“Once again, the message is: wash your hands frequently. If you have symptoms such as fever, vomiting and diarrhea, report immediately to health authorities. You can call 0800 326 524 357. Do not touch a person suspected of Ebola, do not touch dead bodies,” Dr. Shuaib said.
The EEOC is run by the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health with support from WHO, UNICEF, Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC). It implements a comprehensive strategy to contain Ebola and reduce mortality.
