Beware Of Fake Ebola Test Kits, NAFDAC Warns

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians not to fall prey to fake test kits for Ebola disease. Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, who raised alarm over circulation of the fake test kits and sanitizers in the market, cautioned Nigerians to be careful. He gave the warning while briefing the media on his return, yesterday, from an emergency meeting summoned by World Health Organisation (WHO), for health authorities of member nations in Geneva, to find lasting solution to Ebola virus and some vaccines clinically being evaluated with very high prospect of combating the disease. “Nigerians must be vigilant because some unscrupulous elements have started exploiting the Ebola virus scare to market counterfeit test kits and sanitary products,” Orhii said. He however, expressed optimism that there was a great promise that some drugs and vaccines could be found soon to be able to contain the virus. “We have some Nigerian remedies that we are looking at very closely and after investigation, we hope that they will be able to help check the Ebola virus. So Nigerians do not need to panic,” he said. He reiterated that Ebola virus was not a death sentence in Nigeria as, according to him, the Federal Government, through the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health, had managed the situation effectively and halted the rampaging spread of the disease. “Nigerians are full of commendation and appreciation to President Good luck Jonathan and the Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, for effectively containing the Ebola virus through prompt deployment of adequate funds, material resources and personnel to strategic places,” he said. He also that Nigerians were proud of the current efforts of government, saying many countries were learning from the methods and strategies adopted by Nigeria to combat the Ebola menace. He, therefore, appealed to Nigerians in Diaspora to feel free to visit home as the threat of the deadly disease had been effectively contained by the government.