The Federal Government has identified Lagos, Kaduna, Enugu, Abuja and several others as flashpoint states and cities where the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) might take serious tolls, unless animals implicated in the spread of the disease are brought under control.
Minister of Environment, Mrs Laurencia Mallam, who made this known in Abuja yesterday, said the presence of fruit bats, which were many in the listed urban cities, posed serious threats to Federal Government’s efforts at controlling the spread.
“A very perturbing and critical area in the spread of EVD is through contact with fomites and personal articles of persons exposed to the disease. We honestly wish to encourage the disinfection of fomites and homes, where the disease has occurred.
“The control of animals implicated in the spread of this disease, especially fruit bats, which are so numerous in many parts of urban cities, such as Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Enugu, to mention but a few, is now our major concern,” the minister said.
To that effect, the minister said her ministry had commenced survey of the distribution of the harmful animals in Abuja, where they had found a substantial population in Wuse area, the Three Arms Zone and some areas of Maitama and Kubwa districts.
“We have equally commenced a similar survey in other states and towns in order that we may implement a comprehensive exercise.
“We are in touch with the various states of the federation for the implementation of a massive disinfection of homes, offices, hospitals, hotels and indeed public places infested with bats, rats and other pets,” she said.
Expressing concern over the poor management of healthcare wastes in various hospitals across the country, Mallam said the issue remained a great challenge to the government.
Her words: “Another area of great concern is in the management of our healthcare wastes at various hospitals in the country. In most cases and in many places, healthcare wastes are combined with other municipal wastes and disposed at open dumps indiscriminately.
“Even where their exposure remains hazardous and perilous, the menace of scavengers in healthcare wastes is indeed harmful and a potential source of EVD.”
Ebola: FG places Abuja, Lagos, Enugu under watch |
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