EBOLA : COMMENDABLE RESPONSE, MYTHS, CURES pt 3

I think the reactions of individuals and some corporate bodies to the national emergency were nothing short of mockery of a serous health challenge like the EVD. All cases in Nigeria had been linked to Patrick Sawyer either directly or indirectly.Government had done greatly to curtail the spread and they are doing excellently well.We should follow laid down instructions like personal hygiene by constant washing of our hands with soaps, avoiding contact with a sick person, avoid contact with fluid of a dead person, report suspected cases to government,avoid eating of bush meat etc.On the bush meat thing, I heard national association of hunters and bushmeat sellers are protesting due to low patronage.Ha! God have mercy!

The latest cheering news from this country is that prompt action of the state governments and Federal government have tamed the spread.At least 10 people among those in isolation centres have been treated successfully and they been certified free from Ebola.Most of secondary contacts with the index case are on surveillance list of health authorities.A lot of money has been spent on information dissemination on the EVD.Government has shown interest in some of the experimental drugs for victims.

The only drawback I foresee is the rush for school children to go resume ahead of agreed date of October 13th 2014. The decision is hasty and not well thought.The new resumption date of September 22, 2014 was due to massive pressure from private school owners.These private school owners are insensitive to risk posed by EVD to little children who do know much about Ebola Virus.Lagos and Rivers state government have been quick to respond by saying they will review the situation before allowing school children to resume.Government must rescind its decision on the resumption date.

Overall Nigeria has managed and contained the disease setting a classical example of how quick response, early detection,world class facility and care can greatly reduce deaths from the Ebola virus.It is not yet uhuru for the eradication of the disease in West Africa sub-region.The disease is spreading like wild fire in Liberia.The case is not different in Guinea and Sierra-Leone.Only concerted efforts with massive support of WHO can stamp out the disease in West Africa.