Health Authorities in Liberia have refuted rumors of suspected Ebola cases in Liberia warning against misinformation in public circle. In a release issued over the weekend, the Ministry of Health, the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), and the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFKMC) clarified that, contrary to misinformation currently circulating on social media, Liberia currently has no suspected, probable, or confirmed case of Ebola virus disease (EVD).
“We encourage the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading or giving credence to misleading information and unverified reports intended to create unnecessary panic and attract social media attention,” the release added.
It furthered, “The public is reminded that the official institutions responsible for reporting and communicating disease outbreaks in Liberia are the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL).
Health authorities noted that the Ministry of Health, together with the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) and partners, continue to maintain surveillance and preparedness measures, including monitoring at health facilities and border points, public awareness activities, and coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO), US CDC, Africa CDC and regional health authorities.
“The public is encouraged to practice regular handwashing, avoid direct contact with bodily fluids of sick individuals, promptly report suspected illnesses, and rely on official updates from the Ministry of Health and NPHIL. The released was jointly issued by the Ministry of Health, Liberia, National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), and the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFKMC).
At the same time, latest reports have disclosed that a nurse identified as Paola N. Bedell, a suspect in the spread of disinformation about a fake Ebola declaration in Liberia, has been apprehended and turned over to the Liberia National Police for Investigation.
The situation has heightened public concern following the circulation of an audio recording by a woman believed to be a health worker, who alleged that suspected Ebola-related cases had emerged in Liberia after some citizens reportedly returned from Uganda feeling ill.
However, the Ministry of Health, the National Public Health Institute of Liberia, and the John F. Kennedy Medical Center have all dismissed the claims, insisting that Liberia currently has no suspected, probable, or confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease.
Authorities have meanwhile warned against the spread of misinformation capable of creating public panic, especially on sensitive national health matters. In a related development, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that 10 African countries are at risk as the ongoing Ebola outbreak continues to spread across Central and East Africa.
Speaking on Saturday, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said high cross-border movement and insecurity in the region are increasing the risk of transmission beyond the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The countries identified as being at risk include Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Zambia.
The warning follows concerns from the World Health Organization over the growing outbreak, which has reportedly recorded hundreds of suspected cases and more than 170 suspected deaths in eastern DR Congo.
Africa CDC recently declared the outbreak a “Public Health Emergency of Continental Security,” citing weak healthcare systems, insecurity and population movement as key factors driving the spread of the deadly virus.
