Ebonyi government debunks guineaworm case report

The Ebonyi state government on Tuesday dismissed the report in a local tabloid that there was a case of guineaworm in the state.

Dr Daniel Umezurike, the state’s Commissioner for Health, made the disclosure while addressing newsmen in Abakaliki.

He said that the report, which created fear in the people, was not properly verified by the tabloid.

He explained that the patient whom the tabloid said was afflicted by the disease was suffering from a “burst boil’’ on the left leg.

The commissioner said “the disease had since been eradicated from the state and the government was worried about the wrong signal the report sent across the state and beyond.

“We conducted the necessary investigations and discovered that the alleged patients was not suffering from guineaworm but had a burst boil on her leg.

He added that the state’s general hospital at Ezzambo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area where the patient was treated had confirmed that it was a burst boil.

“Guineaworm infection has two prominent features which include blisters and protruding worm and none of these was found on the woman.

“A typical guineaworm measures between 50 to 100 centimetres in length and does not come out from the ‘infection spot’ in one day but gradually.
“The infection spot on the woman discharged puss which looked like worm, as she had been treated and discharged from the hospital with the boil completely healed.’’

He, therefore, urged journalists to verify their reports to avoid portraying the state negatively and heating the polity.

Mr Emmanuel Ogharu, the Project Manager of the Guinea Worm Eradication Programe (NIGEP) in the state, said that after thorough investigation, it was discovered that the woman was not infected with guineaworm.