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Thursday, September 18, 2014

For Fear of Ebola Spread House Quarantines Several


By: 
Keith Morris
Following the death of Captain James Morlu of the House of Representatives, the Lower House yesterday decided to “quarantine those suspected of having had contact with Morlu.”
Capt. Morlu recently died after a brief illness, but the cause of death is yet to be established.
According to Deputy House Speaker Hans Barchue, the House leadership agreed to place Sergeant-At-Arms General Martine Johnson and the entire security detachment controlling the chambers of the House chamber under quarantine until the end of September 2014.
At a news conference in Monrovia, Rep. Barchue disclosed that a specimen of Morlu had been extracted for laboratory testing and the results will be available in days; but the leadership has imposed precautionary measures on the House family of the victim, in order to protect and prevent a possible spread.
“We were made to understand that Morlu had been away from the Capitol Building since August 28, 2014.  However, we want to be extra careful not infest others even though we do not yet know what killed him. We reported this to the World Health Organization people and they are in contact with his family and staffers as well.
“We asked the Chief Clerk,  Madam Mildred Siryon, to speak with the Ministry of Health in order to make food available to the families and the quarantined staffers during this period,” Deputy Speaker Barchue stated.
The House announced that regular Extra Session as required by the Constitution under a State of Emergency was scheduled to have resumed yesterday,  September 18, 2014 in order to run the affairs of state.
The House on Monday of this week suspended its Extraordinary Sitting for Tuesday, September 16, 2014 over the fear of Ebola.
According to the Grand Bassa County lawmaker, suspending sessions was based to medical advice from experts in an effort to chlorinate and disinfest the House’s chamber and surrounding offices due to a probable case of Ebola.
Members and chamber staff were asked to stay away during and 48 hours after the chlorination.
Meanwhile, since the pronouncement was made by the House, the entire Capitol Building has been  deserted by officials of government, including Vice President Joseph N. Boakai and Speaker Alex Tyler, whose offices are located within the building.
Morlu served as one of the leading security officers who was usually involved with distributing or circulating the chamber’s agenda, as well as, procuring some personal items for lawmakers during session.