MPs Calls For Protective Measures Against Ebola Virus

The Chairman of the Health Committee of Parliament and MP for Wa West, Joseph Yieleh Chireh, has called for an urgent meeting among health stakeholders and national security to discuss and fashion out measures to prevent the deadly Ebola virus from entering into the country. The call comes following the reported spread of the disease in Liberia after killing scores of people in Guinea. The Chairman of the Health Committee, Joseph Yieleh Chireh, made the call on the floor of Parliament yesterday when the Speaker admitted a statement on the disease. He observed that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa threatens Ghana's borders. As a result, stakeholders should not wait to be caught unprepared. The ranking member on Health and MP for Nhyiaeso, Richard Anane, also added his voice to the call and asked the Ministry of Health to liaise with other health ministries in the sub-region to strategise to contain the disease. The Ebola haemorrhagic fever is caused by one of the deadliest viruses known to mankind, killing up to 90 percent of people it infects. In the worst cases, it shuts down organs and causes uncontrollable bleeding. Of the 1,850 people diagnosed with Ebola haemorrhagic fever since the virus was first identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 38 years ago1,200 have died. Out of 80 known cases in Guinea, there have been more than 60 deaths. Neighbouring Liberia has also reported six cases out of which five have already died. The First Deputy Speaker, Ebo Barton-Odro,directed that the statement be forwarded to the Ministries of Health, Local Government, Agriculture, Interior and Foreign Affairs for the needed action to be taken to prevent the Ebola virus from entering the country.