A medical doctor has warned the public against eating fruits pecked by birds and other animals to avoid contracting the Ebola disease.

Dr. Jonathan Mensah, the Medical Superintendent of Half-Assini Government Hospital, told the GNA in an interview that avocado, mango, pawpaw and guava eaten by birds or animals might pose a great risk when eaten by humans.

He said Ebola had symptoms like fever, hepatitis, headache, sore throat, skin rashes and bleeding tendencies among others.

The Hospital had earlier carried out a community sensitization programme on the disease and a free medical screening in collaboration with the Local Council of Churches and Ekpu elders.

Dr. Mensah said Ebola, a fatal disease which kills over 90 percent of its infected people, was first reported in Democratic Republic of Congo in 1986 in a village called Ebolam, hence its name "Ebola".

The virus has 21 days gestation period and urged the public to avoid self medication and report all ailments to health facilities.

Ms Anna Austin, Nursing Manager of the Hospital, took the participants through what she called 'Social Hand Washing' to prevent them contracting the disease.