Beware of monkeys, bats, Jonathan’s doki warns Villa workers

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As the nation grapples to contain the spread of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease in the country, workers in the Presidential Villa, Abuja have been warned to be wary of the presence of bats and monkeys. The two animals with large presence in the Villa have been linked to the virus therefore causing panic among workers. The warning to members of staff was contained in an internal circular dated August 12 and issued by the Chief Physician to the President, Dr. Fortune Fiberesima. In the circular, Fiberesima cautioned State House personnel against contact with the two animals, either dead or alive. He warned them to avoid using hands to clear animal faeces on parked cars. He further warned car owners to water-hose vehicles parked under trees (with or without animal droppings on them) properly before washing them. He also urged them to sanitise or wash their hands with soap and water as often as possible.



 The circular read, “In view of the recent outbreak of of the Ebola Virus Disease and that certain animals (bats and monkeys) have been linked with the virus, the following precautionary measures are deemed necessary:

 “Avoid physical contact with bats and monkeys, whether dead or alive. “Do not pick dead bats and monkeys. Please immediately notify the Public Health Unit of the State House Medical Centre for proper disposal. “Avoid using hands to clear animal droppings (animal faeces) on parked cars.

 “Hand gloves are available at the SHMC on request. “Water-hose vehicles parked under trees (with or without animal droppings on them) properly before washing. “Sanitise hands or wash your hands with soap and water as often as possible.

 “The aforementioned measures are purely precautionary in view of the large number of bats and monkeys in the villa.” Our correspondent reports that the two animals that are linked to the virus have large presence in the Villa. While the monkeys are seen walking around in any part of the Presidential Villa, the bats are concentrated on trees around the car park and other places. One of the characteristics of their presence is the faeces they drop on cars parked in the parking lots and other places. Hand sanitisers have since been deployed in strategic points inside the Villa.