The illness, known in medical circles as Ebola Virus Disease, berthed in Lagos when a Liberian-American man on an official visit to Nigeria took ill on a flight from Liberia to Lagos. The man, identified as Patrick Sawyer, had on the plane exhibited the early signs of Ebola virus infection such as fever and body aches. On landing, he was immediately rushed to the First Foundation Hospital in the Obalende area of Lagos, where his symptoms progressed to vomiting, diarrhea and later, the unmistakable classical sign of Ebola, which is bleeding through all body openings such as the eyes, nose, mouth, as the veins carrying blood throughout the body break down. Exactly five days after landing in Nigeria, Patrick Sawyer died, signposting the seriousness of this disease that could kill just five days after the onset of symptoms.
Since the sad passage of Patrick Sawyer, the horrors of the Ebola infection have dawned more heavily on Nigerians, as the female medical doctor who attened to him in the hospital in Lagos has tested positive to the virus, while two other medical professionals involved in caring for him have started exhibiting signs of the infection. Already, there is growing panic in the land. About 70 persons wo had either primary or secondary interactions with Sawyer have been placed under surveillance, while eight have been quarantined. The health authorities have set up toll free numbers to report cases and also ordered proper screening at the nation’s entry points while air passengers entering the country have been asked to declare their health status with regard to the Ebola virus. A treatment research group has also been set up by the Federal Government to study the research done by former INEC chairman, Professor Maurice Iwu, on a potential cure for the Ebola Disease.
The coming of the Ebola virus to Nigeria is unfortunate. It is, indeed, the “unkindest cut of all.” This is simply because Nigeria’s health system is ill-prepared to deal with such an illness that may well be the footballing equivalent of the “sudden death” goal. This is because an illness that could kill within the space of just five days is a serious medical emergency and somewhat of a death sentence. The disease simply does not give the victim any chance to tidy up his affairs or even say a proper goodbye to loved ones. This, unfortunately, is an illness that could immediately turn the victim into an outcast that could be deserted by even the closest of family members. Meanwhile, the nation’s health care system cannot cope with such an emergency. Nigeria is only lucky that the medical personnel at First Consultants Hospital where the man was treated were vigilant, informed and responsible enough to immediately raise the alarm which brought the problem into public focus and attracted the necessary action from the government and international agencies. If the hospital had been unprofessional, Nigeria would probably have had a catastrophe on its hands as the virus would have spread uncontrollably in the country.
Again, doctors in the nation’s public hospitals have been on strike for about five weeks now. What, then would have been the fate of poor Nigerians who contract the infection, since they would not even have access to the appropriate medical treatment to alleviate the symptoms?
The Ebola Virus Disease has no known vaccine or cure. This, in itself is scary, and could discourage people from coming up for treatment because of the problem of social sigma. This, however, will not be in the best interest of the victims, their families and the country at large, since it could lead to the breakout of an epidemic. The Federal Government has already come up with guidelines on how to contain this epidemic. Nigerians have been told that the disease can be contracted through contact with the body fluids of infected persons such as blood, sweat and saliva, and we have been told to wash our hands frequently as the virus dies when it comes in contact with soap. There is also ongoing research to determine if bitter kola can kill the virus in the human body and stop the disease, as it is said to do in test tube experiments. The people have also been advised to abstain from eating of bush meat and fruit bats which are said to be capable of harbouring the infection.The challenge now is to take the gospel of prevention and containment of this virus to every part of the country. This virus is just too strong for Nigeria. Our health system is simply no match for it. Our best bet is to do all that is necessary to ensure that those who have already been infected with it overcome it, while we also contain its spread. All hands must be on deck to ensure that the Ebola Disease does not join the list of other problems plaguing our country.
MAILBOX
Re: Osun Poll: Omisore and Aregbesola’s chances
As the Osun State governorship election is around the corner, the people of the state should know that their destiny is in their hands. So, they should go for continuity, which is Aregbesola’s progressive governance, to enable him complete the good work that he has started. As they say, the devil you know is better than the saint you don’t know. Osun people should not allow themselves to be deceived by kerosene and derica of rice distribution. They should check the records of the last administration. The Federal Government should, however, let the votes of the electorate count. Nobody should be intimidated with military presence. In every contest, there must be a winner and a loser. The winner should carry everybody along so as to move the state forward, while the losers should see their defeat as an act of God and prepare for future elections, instead of causing political violence. They can go to court and seek to retrieve their mandate, if they believe there are irregularities in the election
Gordon Chika Nnorom. UmukAbia, Abia State
07084644222
Your analysis of the scenario in Osun, which had in part the achievements of Aregbesola’s first term, some might take as a subtle sell of him to the electorate, but it was generally fair and balanced within the available facts on the contestants.
Lai Ashadele,
08023632992
You don’t think the violence in the North and APC’s attitude to it would affect the party’s chancesin this election?
Okoli Igwe,
08127292120
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The Ebola Virus nightmare |
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