Photo: Liberia Government Grand Bassa County Superintendent Etweda Cooper said the first case of Ebola has been reported in the county.
Speaking over the weekend in Buchanan, Madam Cooper said an unidentified man died at the Catholic Health Center in Buchanan and was buried on Thursday.
She added that his blood sample was taken to the laboratory and was tested and confirmed positive the next day. "The death of the unidentified man who came from River Cess County that travelled to Monrovia for workshop and was on his way back home means that Grand Bassa County is no longer Ebola-free," Madam Cooper said.
She added that the two health workers that came in contact with this man at the Catholic Health Center are currently undergoing observation at medical facilities in Buchanan.
"We are also calling on those that rode the same vehicle with this man from Rivercess to Buchanan to please report themselves at the Liberia Government Hospital for observation. With that, we can help prevent others from getting the virus, Superintendent Cooper," maintained.
The Grand Bassa County Superintendent pointed out that the victim came in contact with a lady identified as Sonnie from Lofa County who was also sick and later died from the virus after been tested and confirmed positive. "He helped the lady to board a taxi cab which they both rode to Buchanan and she headed onward to Monrovia. He later got sick in Rivercess for about 5-6 days (off and on) and has been buying drugs from the nearby drug store in Rivercess," she added. In a statement, the Acting Community Health Department Director Steven Joans said the man who was later identified as a Prison Superintendent from Rivercess County left for Monrovia on Wednesday to attend a workshop on correction.
He pointed out that while attending the workshop he got very ill and decided to go back toRivercess County but when he arrived in Buchanan the sickness got very serious so he made a stop at one of his friend's residence who is believed to be one of the ROTC instructors at the Grand Bassa Community College teaching ROTC.
"It was this friend that took him to the Catholic Health Center where he later died at 2am," the Acting Community Health Department Director said. In an effort to stop the rapid spread of the virus, the county health team in collaboration with citizens on August 1, 2014 observed the day by chlorinating and spraying public facilities.
With the report of the death of one suspected Ebola victim over the weekend, it is no doubt that Ebola virus has indeed hit the county.
The county authority used the occasion to call on those who came in contact with this man to report themselves at the Hospital to be tested for the virus.
"If you are not positive you will go free, but if you are tested positive, than we will start to give you some treatment that will help you fight the virus," the county Superintendent warned. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and social Welfare through the Senate Pro Tempore Gbehzohngar Findley has donated some items to the Liberia Government Hospital in the fight against the deadly Ebola virus. Making the presentation, Senator Findley said it was the Ministry's way of identifying with Grand Bassa County in making sure that health workers are saved from the virus while serving national duty.
Items donated included buckets, gloves, chlorine, spray cans, 50 health kits, and some posters with health messages so as to inform the people on the spread of the virus.
Senator Findley also warned citizens and residents alike to report suspected cases to the hospital for testing as refusing to do so warrants such person to blame his/herself.
Receiving the items on behalf of the County Health Team, the County Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kekula lauded the ministry for the donation and called on other ministries and well meaning citizens to do the same in fighting the virus from Liberia. "The virus is deadly, so we must do all we can to prevent our family members from it. Please go at the testing centers to be tested if you are suspected of the virus. Ebola is real" Dr. Kerkula warned.
