MOYO DISTRICT INTENSIFIES EBOLA SURVEILLANCE AT POROUS BORDER POINTS

Moyo RDC Ochailap Geoffrey Filbert addressing the press on measures to control Ebola at the porous border points. 

By Araba Kalsum

Moyo

Moyo District Ebola Task Force team has identified several porous border areas that remain accessible within the district and has urged communities to continue observing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aimed at preventing the spread of Ebola.

Speaking on the matter, Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Ochailap Geoffrey Filbert said that Afoji Parish in Moyo Sub-county, which borders South Sudan, is currently the only accessible porous border point in the district.

He noted that health personnel have been deployed to monitor movements and conduct screening of travelers. “Not all parts of the district are porous. The only accessible point is Afoji in Moyo Sub-county. We have already deployed three staff members from the health department there. Anyone passing through must undergo screening. I appreciate the health department, the security agencies, and the media for their efforts in spreading information on controlling the spread of Ebola in the district,” Ochailap said.

Meanwhile, Madrara Bosco, the Principal Human Resource Officer at Moyo District Local Government, who represented the Chief Administrative Officer, urged border communities to remain vigilant and adhere to the health guidelines.

“As far as Ebola is concerned, I ask all community members to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases to the health department. Together, we can identify cases early and ensure they are tested and examined so that the people of Moyo remain free from Ebola,” Madrara said.

However, Isadru Peter, the District Local Council Chairperson of Aluru Sub-county and the newly appointed Secretary for Social Services and Community-Based Services in Moyo District, expressed concern over the poor response by some residents to Ebola prevention measures.

“In Moyo, we have not recorded any confirmed Ebola cases yet. However, since these operations began, community turnout and compliance with SOPs have been poor. Those who continue to take the disease lightly risk spreading it if they become infected. I urge the community to remain vigilant, look out for one another, and encourage everyone to observe the preventive measures so that the disease does not reach us,” Isadru emphasized.

Health officials continue to remind the public that Ebola is spread through direct physical contact with the body fluids of an infected or deceased person, or through contact with infected animals. The disease is not airborne, and infected individuals only become contagious after they begin showing symptoms.