SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 BY SODIQ OYELEKE
Following reports that a student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife was suspected to have the Ebola Virus Disease, parents on Wednesday made calls to their wards to be cautious.
It would be recalled that a female student of OAU was on Tuesday quarantined after she allegedly confessed that she had a contact with the late Port Harcourt doctor, Iyke Enemuo.
Enemuo died of the EVD after he secretly treated an infected ECOWAS diplomat, Olu-Ibukun Koye, in a hotel in the Rivers State capital.
When our correspondent visited the school, normal academics activities were ongoing.
It was observed that social activities among the students reduced, as many of them were seen avoiding handshakes and hugs.
It was learnt that some hostels within the university have begun sensitisation and identification screening before granting students entrance.
Banks within the campus also screened before letting them into the banking hall.
Some of the students, who spoke to our correspondent, commended the school management for its proactive effort.
They claimed it was worthy that the suspected student was evacuated and taken off the campus, adding that information was not hidden from them.
One of the students, identified as Lateef, said his mum has warned him to proceed home "if the case is out of control."
"My mum called me and warned that I should be careful. She said I should come home before the case goes beyond control. I just told her that all is well and we are safe," he said.
Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr. Biodun Olarewaju, said the suspected students narrated the circumstances surrounding her illness.
He emphasised that there was no need for fear nor panic, noting that the suspected student resides off campus.
He said, "We did not ask her. She voluntarily walked into the hospital to complain of illness and told the medical experts everything that happened to her. She should be commended for that and our sensitisation continues. Our campus is safe and students are going about their daily activities with no problem."
Olarewaju, in a statement, said the female student, who is suspected to be a secondary contact of EVD, has been evacuated to Lagos for proper attention.
The statement said, "A female student of the OAU, Ile-Ife who is suspected to be a secondary contact of the Ebola Virus Disease in Port-Harcourt, presented sick at the University Health Centre.
"After a clinical assessment by the Ebola Surveillance Preparedness and Response Committee of the University, the authorities thereafter contacted the State Ministry of Health, the Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation(WHO)."
While emphasising that the student illness was not a confirmed Ebola case, Olarewaju said appropriate measures have been taken to ensure safety.
Punch:
http://www.punchng.com/news/ebola-parents-call-on-oau-students-to-take-caution/
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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