POSSIBLE WAYS
OF PREVENTING THE DEADLY EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE
Greetings brethren! To begin with: 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, Calabar precisely, on 20th 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 weeks 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; coupled with the
recent confirmation of a case of the disease in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.
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. Let’s ride on!
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. On their part, the Veterinary doctors should also be mandated to follow suit or adhere to similar measure while rendering treatment to any animal.
In addition, individuals residing in various parts of the country are expected to help themselves in order to supplement the ongoing proactive and 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. Think about it, while I continue to pray for
Nigeria!
FRED DOC NWAOZOR
frednwaozor@gmail.com
