Why I fear the Ebola virus threat in Lagos By Sede Alonge.
With an ill-equipped healthcare system, poor hygeine and crowded streets, Nigerians living in the country’s biggest city are understandably anxious about the deadly Ebola outbreak
A Lagos friend recently told me she has stopped shaking people’s hands and avoids any bodily contact in public because she is afraid of contacting the ebola virus.
In a city of some 15 million people with “only” 10 confirmed cases of ebola so far, it is easy to dismiss her fears as mere paranoia.
But the seriousness of the ebola virus threat cannot be underestimated and my friend’s fears echo public sentiment here in Lagos. After all, it takes just one person to infect an entire community.
With news that a nurse who was part of the team in the hospital that attended to the first identified case of an ebola virus victim in Nigeria has died, the anxiety is understandable.
Discussions between ordinary Lagosians are now centred around the gravity of the threat and people are voicing concerns on how Nigeria would cope were the virus to become pandemic.
Our mediocre, ill-equipped healthcare system hardly gives much cause for confidence. Nor the fact that doctors in state run hospitals happen to be currently on strike.
Hygiene practices in most public hospitals also leave much to be desired and there is a lack of basic equipment. For example, it is not unusual for gloves to be rationed in public hospitals.
And in a congested city like Lagos where housing is scarce and people often live in cramped spaces, it is all too easy to imagine such a highly-infectious disease spreading rapidly.
Furthermore, preventing an epidemic is not easy in a place where many people who might suddenly feel ill do not have cars, cannot afford taxis or ambulances (which are mostly private and expensive), and would likely have to resort to being transported to a hospital via public transportation, thus potentially endangering others.
Such scenarios do not bear thinking about as our public buses are most times overcrowded in humid, cramped conditions.
Added to that is the possibility of undetected cases. Many Nigerians do not visit hospitals when ill for a variety of reasons – ranging from financial to a proclivity for self medication or in some cases, a preference for traditional medicine.
There is a danger in the fact that the early symptoms of the deadly ebola virus are similar to that of malaria, a very common illness in Nigeria for which people usually simply buy over the counter drugs from the nearest pharmacy. Malaria is as common here as the flu is in Europe so people hardly think of visiting a doctor whenever they experience malaria-like symptoms.
More needs to be done in terms of raising awareness among Nigerians while cases of identified ebola virus victims are still relatively low. Bearing in mind a prevalent culture of poor preparation for contingencies and government lip-service, it is all too easy to imagine the situation spiraling out of control.
Public responsibility is necessary too. So far, many comments on social media about the ebola virus threat paint a disturbing picture of how it is viewed by ordinary citizens. Some see it as part of a western conspiracy to “infect Africans.”
Such sentiments are hardly helpful. It is also not uncommon for Nigerians to use humour and flippancy as a defence mechanism against the tough realities of everyday life here; however trying to brush off this particular situation with jokes could lead to careless attitudes amongst some regarding safety measures.
Therefore, educating the public about the proper approach towards the virus threat should be of paramount importance to the authorities in addition to putting stringent control measures in place.
Hopefully, the current ebola virus threat in Nigeria will force a radical improvement of the healthcare sector as well as emergency responses.
Unlike some diseases which broke out and remained in remote areas of Nigeria in the past, therefore staying out of the public consciousness with only cursory regard paid to them by the authorities, the ebola virus in Lagos speaks a danger none can ignore.
In the meantime, it seems wise to follow my friend’s steps and heed the WHO recommendation on greeting: a friendly smile and nod will do just fine instead of a warm handshake.
Culled from Telegraph
To add to Sede Alonge’s contribution above, I must write that I have been impressed thus far with the pro activities of the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu (pictured left). He is doing everything that ought to be done professionally to increase awareness, equip hospitals, isolate potential infected people of this deadly virus in Nigeria. Countless numbers of meetings are held. Instead of calling the Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian who imported ebola to Nigeria crazy, he is going about his duties, keeping Nigerians abreast with the latest. Kudos on Prof Chukwu.
Unlike aids, where it is easy to brush infected patients with the morality paint, Ebola is not. WHO has grouped this virus as one of the deadliest and as such, no one is safe from it.
Typical of Nigerians, whoever provided salt and water as a remedy to ebola virus is plain stupid. Those that believe in the prescription are in a higher cast of stupidity. Salt has no effect on Ebola virus. Praying and being stupid will also not work. You can pray, apply faith, but must do the right things.
Reports have it that the local delicacy of Suya (pictured above), a spicy shish kebab like skewered meat which is a popular food item in various parts of Nigeria, enjoyed as a delicacy in West Africa and traditionally prepared by the Hausa people of northern Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger is a NO – GO for now. Suya is generally made with skewered beef, ram, or chicken. Innards such as kidney, liver and tripe are also used. History has informed us that the Ebola virus was first detected in 1976.
Check this statistics out, and why Jokes will not prevent the spread in Nigeria. From 1976 (when it was first identified) through 2013, fewer than 1,000 people per year have been infected.The largest outbreak to date is the ongoing 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak, which is affecting Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria. As of August 2014 more than 1750 suspected cases have been reported.(Source – Wikipedia). This is why this outbreak is serious.
Ebola virus symptoms typically start two days to three weeks after contracting the virus, with a fever, sore throat, muscle pains, and headaches. Typically nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea follow, along with decreased functioning of the liver and kidneys. At this point, some people begin to have bleeding problems. (Source -Wikipedia) The virus may be acquired upon contact with blood or bodily fluids of an infected animal.
This is why Nigerians must wash hands regularly, limit eating out STOP causal socialising. All these activities are recipes for disaster. While you are able to control your personal hygiene, the same can’t be guaranteed for others who throw banters and jokes around in self defence.
To be warned is to be forearmed…
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