To keep Ebola at bay
For about six weeks now, the Democratic Republic of Congo has been battling the Ebola virus. The outbreak was declared after laboratory results confirmed two cases of the disease in Bikoro province in the huge country’s north west. Since then, the number of people infected in DR Congo has continued to rise. So far, there […]
For about six weeks now, the Democratic Republic of Congo has been battling the Ebola virus. The outbreak was declared after laboratory results confirmed two cases of the disease in Bikoro province in the huge country’s north west. Since then, the number of people infected in DR Congo has continued to rise. So far, there have been 21 suspected cases of the viral hemorrhagic fever, including 17 deaths. A government statement said the country’s Ministry of Health has “taken all necessary measures to respond promptly and effectively to this new epidemic.”
Nigeria should be concerned since an outbreak in any part of Africa can easily spread to other parts. DR Congo was also the country from where the disease first emerged in 1976. Ebola virus is highly contagious and is usually transmitted to people from wild animals. It then spreads through human-to-human transmission. The fatality rate is very high. This deadly hemorrhagic fever first entered Nigeria in 2014 through a Liberian citizen, Patrick Sawyer, causing panic across the country. No disease epidemic ever shook Nigeria as Ebola did. Citizens were thrown into confusion and they did everything to evade it, including the infamous salt bath at midnight.
On Thursday last week, the World Health Organisation [WHO] warned that DR Congo remains on an “epidemiological knife-edge” regarding the spread of Ebola. It said the current outbreak “involved rural and urban areas; raising chances that it might spread both nationally and internationally.” Also last week the Chief Executive Officer and National Coordinator of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu said Ebola vaccines are not available in the country. He said, “An Ebola vaccine is being used for the first time ever to respond to the outbreak in the DRC. The Ebola vaccine is currently administered to people who have been in close contact with those infected or those who are likely to be in close contact with a case. Vaccines are not commercially available and are only available through WHO when an outbreak has been addressed.”
This means that at the moment, we do not have any vaccine or drug, therefore, internally, all hands must be in deck to ensure that the disease does not find its way into the country or if it does, we do not suffer too many casualties. Unlike in 2014, we have no reason to be taken unawares this time around. Already, there is an outbreak, which means that anything can happen. We do hope that Nigeria is spared but we cannot afford to leave anything to chance. Screening at our airports/borders must be beefed up just as government should consider certain forms of travel restriction for the time being. Also the National Centre for Disease Control played a huge role the last time there was an outbreak; it should be properly mobilised and staff should be on alert.
In 2014 when Nigeria experienced the outbreak, the effective handling of the disease led by then Minister of Health Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu earned the country international acclaim. We do not expect anything short of that this time around. In fact, we expect better management, since we already have the experience. Equipment and safety gadgets that were bought during the last outbreak should all be serviced/cleaned and kept handy. All health workers should be ready to work.
We urge health unions that are on strike to consider returning to work for now. Funds should be kept aside, ready for disbursement to agencies and groups that may be in need of it. Volunteers should also be on standby. And unlike in 2014, where it was reported that some persons refused to test for the virus or even fled hospitals, we expect better behaviour from patients and better coordination from health personnel. Also, the last outbreak caused citizens to imbibe healthy cultures like constant washing of hands and use of sanitizers. We should revive those very good habits. Keeping Ebola at bay is a task that must be done.