Outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus puts pressure on the
relationship between members of the Obafemi Awolowo
University community and a large colony of bats on
campus, SODIQ OYELEKE reports
Before a Liberian diplomat, Patrick Sawyer, practically
imported the Ebola Virus Disease into Nigeria, not many
Nigerians really liked bats. Many associated the winged
nocturnal mouse-like animals with bad omens and so
they rarely attracted positive commentaries.
But that was not the perception at the Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. Hitherto at the university,
bats were creatures that many students and members of
staff found very fascinating. No wonder, they classified
them as one of the prides and wonders of the 52-year-
old university. Almost every big tree on campus is a
home to these mammals.
But with the EVD scare that hit the country last July, that
perception has changed. Nowadays, only a few
members of the varsity community are comfortable with
the bats.
Many people now see the creatures as enemies. They
see the rich bat protectorate as a leprous colony with
only a few people summoning courage to pass under
the big trees that host them.
Of course, their fears are justifiable. Many believe bats,
monkeys and some other undomesticated animals have
links with the spread of the dreaded EVD. The disease,
with no known cure so far, has killed no fewer than
1,500 of the 2,500 infected persons in Liberia, Nigeria,
Sierra Leone, Guinea and Congo. In Nigeria particularly,
Ebola has consumed the lives of no fewer than six
persons in less than two months.
Thus, seeing bats fly in their thousands has now
become a source of concern in OAU. But some people
insist there is no cause for alarm.
Some of such people who spoke to our correspondent
said the bats were harmless. According to them, there is
no reason to fear them because they have been around
for many years. In fact, they say the animals still
deserve respect, love and good neighbourliness.
For a student, Sola Mosobalaje, the presence of the
animals is no longer strange to him, especially as they
are almost in every nook and cranny of the university.
He said, “Initially, as a fresh student in the university, I
was scared of them because of their huge population.
Today, however, that is no longer the situation. I am no
longer scared. I have been here for long and nothing has
happened to anyone.
“We know when they fly and when they do not. That we
now no longer pass under the trees that quarter them is
merely because we want to be careful. It is not because
of the fears many other Nigerians associate with
animals due to the Ebola outbreak. So what we do now
is to take alternative routes.”
Another student, Sanmi Aina, who resides off campus,
said the bats were a common sight in the city. Aina
noted that if they were as dangerous as now feard,, no
individual would be alive in the ancient Yoruba city.
He said, “If anything will happen, it will likely start from
town and not on campus. They will have to send all the
residents of Ile-Ife away and everyone would have been
dead by now if bats automatically transmitted Ebola
virus. But I can assure you, there is no tension here. We
are taking our time as literate people.”
The Head of Zoology Department in the university, Prof.
Sylvester Ogbogu, also assuaged the fear of many,
saying the school was safe, in spite of the huge bat
population.
Ogbogu, a professor of Aquatic Entomology, also
dismissed the call for the cutting down of the trees over
what he described as “unconfirmed information” that
bats spread EVD.
He said, “One thing with the transmission of diseases
between animal and man is that it only occurs when the
disease is endemic. Such is the case with river
blindness. River blindness is associated with certain
insects. Those insects that transfer the river blindness
pathogens are dominant in the middle belt area of the
country. It is because the pathogens and the insects are
there that we have high incidence of river blindness in
that region.
“If Ebola virus goes endemic in Nigeria, it is possible for
the fruit bats we have on campus to have it. But we
have been staying with these bats and people have been
hunting them to feed animals and we have not recorded
any case of Ebola.”
The don, who said the bat settlement on campus
predated the establishment of the university, warned
against ‘hasty generalisation’.
He added, “The few bats that may be present in some of
these West African countries, such as Sierra Leone or
Liberia, may have Ebola virus, which needs to be
investigated. But the ones we have here are relatively
safe. When students are around, they move to the
fringes of the university campus because of human
movement and disturbance.
“The cutting down of trees is the most terrible thing to
do. Why should we kill the animals or cut down trees?
The community has been with these bats for ages. They
migrate and come back occasionally. Their number has
been increasing over the years. So far, there is no fear,
there is no apprehension about their presence.”
A former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Akwa
Ibom State, Prof. Eyo Okon, said there was the need for
a research to conclude that bats were major carriers of
EVD.
Okon, a specialist in bats biology, while urging
Nigerians not to panic, said, “It is important to
remember how Ebola came into the country. If it had
come through forest animals, such as monkeys, and
bats, then that kind of link with bats can be rational.
People are just mentioning bats. I have done studies on
bats and nobody talked of bats spreading disease.
“In fact, people even worship bats in a part of Warri.
There is a tree there where people congregate and
worship because they believe good things come from
bats. Most talks about bats are myths. Bats are very
useful animals and are one of the biggest pollinators
among mammals.
“It is possible that bats are carriers of the virus but that
has to be proved. Science and knowledge always begin
with speculation and guess work, but we need to go into
research for proof.
“A report by experts coordinated by World Health
Orgainsation says fruit bats are considered (not a
certainty) natural hosts for Ebola virus; meaning that it
is a speculation with little evidence and not yet
conclusively proved. We must begin to prove things
conclusively in this country and I think OAU is a very
good place to do that because it has a large constituent
of bats.”
The former VC also frowned on the idea of exterminating
the bats, saying it would have both biological and
environmental implications. According to him, killing
bats will not end Ebola.
He said, “The research aspect is very important because
that is what will pinpoint the source and how it spreads.
Universities and other research institutions can combine
and go into this research. Stopping Ebola does not end
with killing of bats and cutting down of trees.
Government must step up research.”
Nonetheless, the authorities of the university are not
taking anything to chance. The university Public
Relations Officer, Biodun Olarewaju, who said the
campus was safe, however, stated that there was
ongoing sensitisation campaign on EVD.
Olarewaju added, “Members of the community are safe.
There is no cause for alarm over Ebola here.”
Copyright PUNCH.

lool , this not funny everything now have. ebola ingredient in it .
the same white that are turning us against our lovely animal are sleeping with their
Africa always at the mercy of white since 1700BC , where are all our professor of microbiology, professor of science they have all gone to sleep . a friend once say the major reason they want to become prof is to be able to get Federal government ministerial job and the like,
Nigeria educational sector zero
i thing the govt need to challenge all this professor of science and task all of them to provide a solution , if not they loose their entitlement and Job
THEY CANT JUST BE EATING AND YET CANT CONTRIBUTE ANYTHING TO NATION BUILDING Why their colleague in other place are engaging in life risking project and research
all they do here is to threaten student with F9 and carryover

The fear of bat,is now the beginning of wisdom.

mod
you need to front page this material let all know the trouble oau is having with bat because of ebola