The Ebola Virus Disease (Aired Newstalk)

OUTBREAK OF THE DEADLY EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE IN NIGERIA

 

A disease is an illness experienced by living things which is usually caused by infectious microscopic organisms such as bacteria, fungi, or virus as the case might be.

There are several diseases occurring the world over, most of which are frightening and deadly. Regarding the mode of transmission of these diseases, some of them are regarded as airborne diseases, while some are known to be waterborne diseases; on the other hand, some of them are referred to as sexually transmitted diseases.

Presently, the world has been placed in a confused state as a result of the recent outbreak of another deadly disease known as Ebola virus. The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) formerly addressed as Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever (EHF) is a disease caused by a virus popularly known as ‘Ebola’.

Generally, the viruses that cause the disease are classified into four namely: Bundibugyo Virus (BDBV), Sudan Virus (SUDV), Tai Forest Virus (TAFV), and one simply called Ebola Virus (EBOV) formerly referred to as Zaire Ebola Virus. Ebola Virus is the sole member of the Zaire Ebola-Virus species, and the most dangerous of the known Ebola disease as well as being responsible for the largest number of outbreak.

The Signs and symptoms of the dreaded and deadly Ebola virus disease usually begin two to twenty-one days after contracting the virus with a flu-like stage characterized by fatigue, fever, sore-throat, loss of appetite, chest pain, muscle and abdominal pains, and headache. In advanced cases, symptoms like nausea influenza, vomiting, bleeding, diarrhoea, rashes, swelling of the skin, alongside decreased functioning of essential organs such as the liver and kidneys often follow suit.

In the case of bleeding, which typically starts 5 to 7 days after initial symptoms, signs including redness of the eyes, bloody vomit, bleeding inside the skin known as haemorrhage, bloody coughs and faeces are usually noticed. In general, the development of bleeding and other advanced or complicated symptoms often indicate a worse prognosis thereby resulting to death of the patient/carrier due to multiple organ dysfunction syndromes.   

The primary sources of the Ebola virus disease are monkeys, bats, pigs, apes, chimpanzees, and gorillas, just to mention but a few. Going by the recent research, it is widely noted that Bat is the prime host of the Ebola virus due to its ability to live vigorously with the virus or while attacked by it. This singular fact has proven to us that everyone is liable to contract the disease since Bat could be found in any part of the world, especially the African continent. Above all, it would be worthy to note that mosquito does not transmit the Ebola virus.

The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) was first identified in the year 1976 in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. On the average, the disease occurs in outbreaks in tropical regions of Sub-Sahara Africa. According to reports, from 1976 to 2013, about one thousand (1,000) persons per year were infected with the virus; currently the largest outbreak is the ongoing West Africa Ebola Outbreak, which is affecting Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia as well as Nigeria. As at August 2014, more than 1,750 suspected cases were reported.

The disease came into Nigeria on July 2014 through the 40-year-old Liberian-American, Mr. Patrick Sawyer who was allegedly en route to a conference in Nigeria on 20^th July 2014 through Asky Airline. Since the death of the foreigner on July 25, 2014, various cases on the Ebola virus disease have been recorded in the country starting from the doctors and nurses who attended to the deceased while he was taken to the hospital from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport when he collapsed upon arrival in Lagos State. Few days ago, it was confirmed by the Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu that about twelve Nigerians were living with the virus while three have already feared killed.

Honestly, it is not yet entirely clear how this controversial plague is spread among mankind or animals. But it is believed that it is acquired upon contact with bodily fluids of an infected person/animal which include blood, sweat, saliva, coughs, sneezes, urine, and semen. This implies that the disease could be transmitted through the three major modes of transmission of diseases namely: air, water, and sexual intercourse. The most devastating aspect of the disease is that it could be contracted by merely touching any part of the skin of the infected person. 

Presently, a specific cure or vaccine for this virus that savages humanity is yet to be found; needless to say that, there is currently no specific treatment for the disease. Efforts to help those who are infected by the virus are supportive, and include giving either oral rehydration therapy or intravenous fluids. The disease has a very high mortality rate, often killing between 50 - 90% of those infected with the virus.

Since it is clear that there is no absolute cure or vaccine for the virus, the only way it could be controlled is by observing a holistic preventive approach. Coupled with the ongoing measure being taken by the government, other severe routines are expected to follow suit.

In view of this, a thorough Ebola virus screening ought to be conducted at all the Nigerian Int’l Airports on every individual migrating to Nigeria, irrespective of his/her status. Same measure is expected to be extended to all the borders in Nigeria, and the borders in question must also be thoroughly guarded by the authorities involved.

Secondly, government should set up a formidable team/agency that would monitor all the existing zoos in Nigeria, with the view of ensuring that proper gloves and other protective devices are worn by the entire management and staff of the establishments or anyone who wants to have direct contact with any of the animals.

In addition, individuals residing in various parts of the country are expected to help themselves in order to supplement the ongoing commendable effort of the government. Everyone, especially the health personnel, ought to ensure that appropriate protective clothing and devices are worn while on duty. Also, constant and adequate washing of hands with water and soap/detergent is meant to be observed by all and sundry regardless of occupation, age, or background. Also, constant washing of the entire body with soap and clean water at least twice in a day ought not to be exempted by all concerned.

More so, the caterers or all those who indulge in any form of cooking practices should endeavour to wash any raw meat properly with salt and water as well as ensure that they are adequately cooked. On the other hand, those who consume fruits or vegetables eaten/sucked by bats, birds, squirrels, and what have you, should as a matter of urgency desist from such act, and other related dirty acts.

Above all, the non-governmental organizations as well as various religious bodies should from time to time organize seminars, workshops and what have you, to sensitize the entire public on how they are meant to address the issue. The media community is not left out; they ought to ensure that apt jingles are consistently aired on their respective radios/televisions, while the members of the print media are expected to publish matters that would go a long way to educate their audience in respect to the disease’s sources, mode of transmission and so on.

The aforementioned preventive methods signify that all hands must be on deck towards ensuring that this dreaded and deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is totally eradicated. I’m strongly of the view that Nigeria will surely come over this societal menace in no distant time if adequate and thorough preventive measures are duly taken, just as we were able to overcome that of bird flu.

 

          COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Public Affairs analyst & Social activist

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The Lingering Global Cyber Crimes (Aired Newstalk)

THE LINGERING GLOBAL CYBER CRIME, AND ITS CONSEQUENCE

Computer hacking in a concise term, is the act of breaking into someone else’s computer systems, especially in order to acquire secret information that is stored there. In the same vein, a computer hacker is someone who tries to break into computer systems belonging to others for the purpose of getting secret or confidential information stored in them.    

Frankly, internet/computer hacking which constitutes the most recent cyber crimes, is real and really eating deep in the global internet connectivity, therefore requires an urgent and a drastic measure to ensure that it is totally put to stop.

Apart from internet hacking which is widely in circulation and also seen as a lucrative venture by the perpetrators, there are other many internet/cyber criminal acts taking place globally on a daily basis, which include the ones occurring on the numerous existing social media.

Prior to the invention of the Internet, criminals had to dig through people’s trash or intercept their mails to steal their personal information. Now that all the required information is available online, criminals presently use the Internet to steal people’s identities, hack into their accounts, trick them into revealing the information, or infect their devices with malware otherwise known as computer threat, such as the famous computer virus.

Most cyber crimes are committed by individuals or small groups. Though large organized criminal groups also take advantage of the Internet. These so-called professional criminals find new ways to commit old or ancient crimes. They treat cyber crimes like a business and form global criminal communities. Criminal communities share strategies and tools and can combine forces to launch coordinated attacks. They even have an underground marketplace where cyber criminals can purchase and sell stolen information or identities.

It’s very difficult to track cyber criminals down, because the Internet makes it easier for people to do things anonymously and from any location on the globe. Needless to say that, many computers used in various destinations have actually been hacked and are being controlled by someone far away.

For hackers who want to come clean and turn away from crime out of pretence, one option is to work for the people they used to torment by becoming their security consultants or employees. These set of hackers are referred to as “Grey Hat Hackers”. In the past, they were addressed as “Black Hat Hackers” who used their computer expertise to break into systems and steal information illegally while posing as a friend or dedicated employee/consultant. But presently, some of them are acting as “White Hat Hackers” who specialize in testing the security strength of their clients’ information systems.
  
If the interest of the aforementioned set of hackers (White Hat Hackers) is to be paid, they will attempt to hack into a company’s network and then present the affected company with a report detailing the existing security loopholes of the company and how those anomalies could be tackled. The advantage of this is that, they can use their skills for a good cause and help stop other cyber criminals, since keeping up with security and cyber criminals is a fulltime job and many companies can’t afford financially to have someone totally dedicated to it.

Another recent devastating aspect of internet hacking is the “Social Engineering” routine. Social engineering is a tactic used by cyber criminals that use lies and manipulations to trick people into revealing their personal information. Social engineering attacks frequently involve very convincing fake stories to lure victims into their trap. Some of these tricks include:

v Sending victims an email that claims there’s problem with their account and has a link to a fake website.

v  Trying to convince victims to open email attachments that contain malware, pretending to be a network/account administrator and asking for the victim’s password to perform maintenance activity.

v Claiming that the victim has won a prize but must give their credit card information in order to receive it.

v  Promising the victims that they will receive millions of dollars if only they will help out the sender by giving them money or disclosing their bank account details, just to mention but a few.

The recent dimensions of cyber crimes, which are becoming funny, barbaric and deadly, have called for constant and consistent update of advanced anti-hacking computer software by software producers, and the adequate dissemination of the said software to the apt quarters. Presently most developing countries are less-privileged in regard to advanced anti-hacking or anti-malware software.

On the other hand, a strict and grievous law regarding cyber crime ought to be implemented by all the countries in the world. Also, thoroughly equipped Internet Communication Agencies comprising well experienced experts are expected to be established by the respective countries.

The bill regarding Cyber Crime that is presently lying on the floor of the Nigeria’s National Assembly is a way forward and a right step in the right direction, but it should be passed into law in earnest. And when signed into law, ought to as a matter of urgency be implemented by the executive arm.     

Those involved in these criminal acts with the sole aim of bankrupting their victims should endeavour to turn a new leaf to exonerate themselves from the dangers that will surely befall them. 

Above all, the potential victims either individuals or corporate organizations, must also take precautions of the aforementioned internet or computer scams in order not to exclaim ‘Had I known’.

 

     COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Public Affairs analyst & Social activist

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              +2348054719437

2014 World Humanitarian Day (Aired Newstalk)

COMMEMORATING THE 2014 WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY, 
  TODAY TUESDAY AUGUST 19

      

Today being 19^th of August 2014, the world over is marking the World Humanitarian Day. The World Humanitarian Day is an annual and international day dedicated to recognize humanitarian personnel and those who have lost their lives while working for humanitarian causes. The event was designated by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly as part of a Swedish-sponsored General-Assembly Resolution on the strengthening of the coordination of Emergency Assistance of the United Nations.

The World Humanitarian Day is a time to recognize those who face danger and adversity while helping others. The day was set aside by the UN General Assembly to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad – Iraq, which claimed twenty-two (22) lives including the live of the then Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to Iraq – Sergio Vieira de Mello.

The invention of August 19 as World Humanitarian Day was the outcome of the relentless efforts of Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation coupled with the partnership of the deceased’s family with the Ambassadors of France, Switzerland, Japan, as well as Brazil in both Geneva and New York tabling and steering the draft resolution through the UN General Assembly. All the efforts of the Foundation was to ensure that the tragic loss of Vieira de Mello and his twenty-one (21) colleagues, and all the humanitarian personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifices in relieving the suffering of the victims of humanitarian crises were not in vain.

Sergio Vieira de Mello who was a citizen of Brazil – South America dedicated his lifetime spanning over thirty years in the United Nations, serving in some of the most challenging humanitarian situations in the world to reach the voiceless victims of armed conflict, alleviate their suffering and draw global attention to their plight. His death alongside twenty-one of his colleagues on 19^th August 2003 in Baghdad – Iraq, deprived the victims of armed conflict worldwide of a unique humanitarian leader of unmatched courage, drive and empathy who championed their cause fearlessly and clearly engraved their plight on the world map.

The tragic event also robbed the humanitarian community of an outstanding leader and intellectual whose thought, philosophy, dynamism and courage inspired all, and remains a timeless legacy to emulate by generations yet unborn. Mindful of this legacy, in 2006 the family of the late humanitarian icon and a group of close friends founded the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation dedicated to continue his unfinished mission of encouraging dialogue between communities and relieving the predicament faced by the victims of humanitarian crises.

The World Humanitarian Day was commemorated for the first time on 19^th August 2009. Suffice to say that, this year’s commemoration is the sixth of its kind in the history of the worthwhile event. As the international community marks the event today, we are all urged to borrow a leaf from the indelible landmark achievements of the great warrior and legend – Sergio Vieira de Mello.

Surely, the most important thing to any man remains his/her welfare. Welfare could be referred to as one’s well-being; or, organized efforts to ensure the basic well-being of people in need. Since the term ‘Humanitarian’ has to do with human welfare, it is of no need reiterating the fact that this remarkable event widely known and recognized as World Humanitarian Day was set aside to sensitize mankind on the cogent need for people to help one another, and for anyone to support any crusade that is targeted at promoting lending hand to persons that are in need or victimized.       

Since no one ever wishes to be in a community or society made up of only him/her, thus, we ought to ensure that the sustenance of the well-being of our relatives, friends, colleagues or associates as the case may be, is at all times our civic responsibility.  

 

         COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Public Affairs analyst & Social Crusader

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                +2348054719437