Ebola virus is the most difficult health challenge confronting
the third world countries and is deadlier than HIV/
AIDs,medical experts have declared.
A Professor of Epidemology and Community Health
Science,University of Ilorin, Tanimola Akande, and a one
time Clinical Virologist at Hoston Texas,United States of
America,Dr.Olajide Agbede, made the declaration in Ilorin,
Kwara State, during their seperate lectures delivered at an
awareness campaign on Ebola virus sponsored by
Chairman, LUBCON Group of companies,Alhaji Jani Ibrahim.
The duo identified fruit bats as the major courier of Ebola
virus which later spread it to other animals and man.
Akande, specifically advised Nigerians to shun the
consumption of bush meat as a preventive measure against
contacting the viirus.
The don who is the national president, Association of Public
Health Physicians of Nigeria, said "Ebola is a very deadly
disease. We have been talking about HIV/AIDS but Ebola is
more deadlier than HIV/AIDS. It's an African Problem. Mostly
in Central and West Africa Republic".
He said the virus which "thrives in their natural host of fruits
bats had so far killed 580 out of the 930 people diagnosed
with the disease in Guinea, Liberia, Seira- Leone and
Ghana".
The medical expert said "any contact with an effected person
is almost a death sentence because the virus has no
vaccines,no drugs ,we only give palliative management".
He said the virus unlike in animals, presents common
malaria symptoms like fever,headache,general body
pain,blood stooling and bleeding from within and outside of
an infected person".
As a way to prevent the out brake of the disease in Nigeria,
Akande urged people to be weary of consumption of bush
meats,wash their hands regularly while health workers
should also start wearing protective kits while attending to
patients with high fever.
Also in his lecture,Agbede called for efficient surveillance
system that will include mounting a quarantine system for
animal and human beings at the points of entry into Nigeria.
He also suggested that trained personnel who can easily
spot Ebola virus symptoms and vectors should be deployed
to all International air ports in Nigeria.
The lecturers praised LUBCON for taking the lead in creating
awareness on the virus.
Chairman, LUBCON group,in his remarks,said the awareness
programme was organised to sensitize Nigerians on the
need to take precaution and prevent the spread of the virus
into the country.
Jani said he was particularly moved by the recorded case in
Ghana where he said the company is also firmly rooted.
Managing Director,LUBCON,Mr Taiye Williams said
though,the company is into Oil and Gas,it organised the
programme as part of its corporate social responsibility to
ensure the well being of Nigerians. www.ilorin.info/fullnews.php?id=11202

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