By Chiedu Uche Okoye
A Professor at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Prof. Nnamdi Onyire, has advised Nigerians to monitor their health and seek medical attention if they observe symptoms associated with Ebola disease.
The advice follows reports of Ebola outbreaks in some countries in East and Central Africa.
Prof. Onyire, who is also the Chairman of the Health Committee of the Obosi Development Union (ODU), on June 12, made the call while speaking with the media at his country home in Obosi.
According to him, the reported outbreaks should serve as a warning for Nigerians to remain vigilant against the possible spread of the highly contagious disease.
We have received reports of Ebola outbreaks in some parts of East and Central Africa, and the disease is capable of causing fatalities. We do not want to be caught unprepared should it spread beyond the affected areas because Ebola is highly contagious.
“Based on this, I advise anyone who notices symptoms associated with Ebola disease to visit a hospital for proper testing, diagnosis, and treatment,” Onyire said.
He identified the common symptoms of Ebola as fever, weakness, fatigue, headache, muscle and body pains, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, and unexplained bleeding or bruising.
Onyire further explained that people can reduce their risk of infection by maintaining good personal hygiene, avoiding contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons, and refraining from handling dead animals.
“To avoid contracting Ebola disease, wash your hands regularly with soap and water, avoid contact with infected persons, do not touch dead animals, and refrain from unsafe burial practices,” he advised.
Although Ebola has a high mortality rate, medical evidence shows that patients have a better chance of survival when they receive prompt medical attention and treatment.
He noted that those at greater risk of infection include healthcare workers, family members caring for infected persons, laboratory personnel, and travellers who have been exposed in affected areas.
Ebola is a severe and often fatal illness caused by a group of viruses known as orthoebolaviruses.
Chiedu Uche Okoye is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
