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Tag: Ebola

  • Ebola, a global security threat – Obama

    Ebola, a global security threat – Obama

    United States’ President, Barack Obama, has called the Ebola outbreak in West Africa “a threat to global security,” as he announced a larger U.S role in fighting the virus.

    The world was looking to the U.S, Mr. Obama said, but added that the outbreak required a “global response.”

    The measures announced included ordering 3,000 U.S troops to the region and building new healthcare facilities, the BBC reports.

    Ebola has killed 2,461 people this year, about half of those infected, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

    The announcement came as United Nations’ officials called the outbreak a health crisis “unparalleled in modern times.”

    The funds needed to fight the outbreak have increased 10-fold in the past month and $1billion (£614million) was needed to fight the outbreak, the UN’s Ebola co-ordinator said.

    Mr. Obama said that among other measures, the U.S would:

    Build 17 healthcare facilities, each with 100 beds and isolation spaces, in Liberia

    Train as many as 500 health care workers a week

    Develop an air bridge to get supplies into affected countries faster

    Provide home health care kits to hundreds of thousands of households, including 50,000 that the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID) will deliver to Liberia this week.

    He called on other countries to step up their response, as a worsening outbreak would lead to “profound political, economic and security implications for all of us.”

     

  • Ebola: Spread the word and save the world

    Ebola: Spread the word and save the world

    The member representing Alimosho 1 state constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Bisi Yusuf recently organized a public enlightenment campaign on the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) for members of his constituency. OZIEGBE OKOEKI was there. 

    The fear of Ebola disease has become the beginning of wisdom. And for a deadly disease that has no cure the only solution for now is enlightenment on preventive measures so as to curb the spread of the disease. This was why Hon. Bisi Yusuf, member of the Lagos state House of Assembly representing Alimosho 1 constituency organised a sensitisation programme on the prevention of the epidemic for his constituents last week at Ipaja.

    Scores of traders, politicians, residents, artisans, School teachers, religious and traditional leaders, CDA, CDC, members and others were attracted to St. Andrews Primary School, Ipaja venue of the event. Coming into the programme ground, your temperature is first checked with an infra ray thermometer,  you proceed to wash your hands with soap and sanitised water before you proceed to check your blood pressure and sugar level free of charge. Every person who came for the programme which was jam packed passed through this process before taking their seats.

    Speaking on why he organised the event Yusuf said, since the importation of the virus to Nigeria by the late Mr. Patrick Sawyer from Liberia and his subsequent death on Friday July 25, 2014, Ebola has become a monster to Nigerians. “And Alimosho is the biggest constituency in West Africa, apart from the land mass, it is the most populous. I represent them and I know Ebola is a deadly disease. It is more deadly than Boko Haram which is limited to a section of the country, but Ebola could ravage the whole place if not quickly controlled.

    “When I was campaigning, I said I would be a representative of  living souls not the dead. And I know if a single person contracts this disease in this constituency millions of people will go for it. Knowing that prevention is better than cure, the only thing I can do is to organise this type of a thing so as to bring the world to the doorstep of every member of my constituency”.

    According to him, because of the large population of the constituency, “I cannot call all of them here, so what I am doing is to train the trainers. All the artisans, tradesmen and women, market women and men, CDAs, CDCs, Kabiyesis, Baales, teachers, especially health teachers,  all of them in Alimosho are here. So that when they are trained here they would be able to create a desk with a desk officer who will be able to train others and watch over the children when they resume. They would also give them the rudimentary preventive measures to use”, he said.

    He disclosed further that he has branded an electronic motor that will go round market places and all the local councils on a daily basis to educate the people on the preventive measures. “Spread the word and save the world”, that is the slogan. You can see that when Ebola came into the country it affected Nigeria economically, socially, culturally and our image in the world; you see how European countries are treating our people and as a result of that I decided that none of my people shall be a victim of this monster they call Ebola”, Yusuf said.

    The lawmaker who is chairman, House Committee on Transportation, Commerce and Industry commended the Lagos House Assembly for being proactive, saying that, with what is happening, no lawmaker needed to wait for anybody to assist him to organise this kind of programme, adding that the Assembly had always risen to every occasion.

    He also said it was wrong for the government to have reversed the October 13, 2014 resumption date for school children, adding that he stood by the decision of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), which did not support the reversal. “We are always worshipping money in this country, the private schools owners are not concerned about the lives of the people, they place profit above people’s lives.

    “For me, I would not allow my children or grandchildren to go to school until October as recommended by NMA. They know the danger in the disease, and they gave a resumption date, government should not have reversed the decision since it is not the school owners that are controlling the country, the children are very vulnerable,” he stated.

    The representative of the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, Dr. Jemilade Longe, who is also the Director of Disease Control in the state Ministry of Health gave the talk on Ebola and the preventive measures at the event.

    He said Ebola is a deadly disease that should be prevented from spreading in the country. He warned the people to avoid unhygienic behaviour, which he said is the best way to prevent the spread of the disease. He reminded them that Ebola started from Monkeys, bats, chimpanzees and some other bush animals.

    While tracing the history of the disease in the continent and in Nigeria, Dr. Longe advised that whoever notices the symptoms of Ebola such as high body temperature, vomiting, diarrhea, cough (which may contain blood), muscle pain, sore throat and others should go to the designated hospital in Yaba, Lagos.

    “The incubation period is between two days and 21 days. We have treated many people, who were later healed of the disease. When Patrick Sawyer died, we packed his bodies in multiple body bags, put him inside iron casket and later put him inside an incinerator. We now started aggressive contact tracing of those who had contacts with him including those that were with him in the aircraft, those who met him in the hospital and others,” he said.

    He also told the audience that the Lagos State Government is motivating the health officers that are taking care of Ebola patients with money ranging from N40,000 to N50,000 each daily and that the disease had almost been contained before someone, who was being observed took it to Port-Harcourt in Rivers State.

    According to Longe, the treatment of Ebola is very expensive. “But once you get the signs of the symptoms quickly run to the hospital. Let us know that the disease is deadly, so let us wash our hands regularly, use sanitizers, but washing hands with soap is better. There is no Ebola in Alimosho, even in the whole of Lagos, we have chased it away with the APC broom,” he assured the people

    The lawmaker, who was proud to say that the efforts put into the project is worthwhile also made sanitizers, and an audio visual CD on the disease and prevention  available to all those that were at the event free of charge.

    Some of the special guests at the occasion were Hon. Yinka Ogundimu from Agege Constituency 1 in LSHA, Chairman of Ayobo/Ipaja LCDA, Hon. Shakiru Yusuf, Oba of Ipajaland, HRM, Oba Sylvester Akiniyi (Ajagungbade 1), APC Chairman of Ayobo/Ipaja, Mrs. Toyin Onileyan amongst others.

     

  • Jonathan appeals to NUT on Sept 22 resumption date

    Jonathan appeals to NUT on Sept 22 resumption date

    *Hails Fashola, Amaechi on Ebola containment

    President Goodluck Jonathan has appealed to the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and other unions to resume work on Monday September 22, 2014.

    Speaking with journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, he maintained that the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has been successfully contained in the country.

    He explained that the government has taken adequate and globally accepted measures to check the spread of the disease in the country.

    The President pointed out that the relevant authorities have put in place necessary equipment and gadgets at the nation’s airports and other entry points to stop any further importation of the disease into Nigeria.

    Keeping Nigerian schools closed over Ebola, he said, would send wrong signal to other countries and make them to treat all Nigerians travellers as Ebola carriers.

    Stressing that Ebola is presently not a problem in Nigeria, he said:  “we have been able to manage Ebola and the whole world is happy with us and we must tell the whole world that we have managed Ebola and no Nigerian should be segregated because of Ebola.”

    “In fact Osun State was to have their festival and the news came to me to cancel it I said no, Ebola is no longer a threat in Nigeria and we must tell the world that we have been able to contained Ebola.”

    “Yes, Ebola is in the West Coast, it could happen in Ghana, it‎ could happen in Senegal or any of the West African countries or beyond but they have not closed down their institutions. If we still have Ebola definitely we will not open any of our institutions but we don’t have Ebola.”

    He added; “I dare ask is NUT ‎saying that until the world is able to end Ebola is Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone before Nigeria should open our institutions? It is not right. Government is not a fool, it is not any labour body that asked us to take that decision, we took it because we felt that we must protect our citizens.”

    “This is one government that discusses with anybody that has issues to discuss. Even NUT has no reason to threaten industrial action because of Ebola, the governors took that decision.  I called all the governors of the states to come with their commissioners of health.

    ” On the day of that meeting I did not even allow them to speak because they will play politics. I asked all the commissioners including the Secretary of Health in Abuja, to brief us ‎on the steps they have taken and they listened to their colleagues because it was also a peer review process.

    “If you are hiding certain things by the time you hear your colleagues you will go back and get things done. We are sure that even if one mad Sawyer comes again, nobody will contract Ebola. We have managed Ebola very well, the world is happy we must tell the world that no Nigerian should be suspected of Ebola and that is the position of government.”

    Appealing to NUT, he said: “I will plead with NUT and other unions that this does not require industrial action. They should commend government, they should work with us, they are Nigerians, all Nigerians must work together to make sure that we contain Ebola. Why do we want to create problems where it is not necessary, it is uncalled for.” He stated

    The President commended the Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola and his Rivers State counterpart, Rotimi Amaechi for working with the Federal Government to contain the disease in their states.

  • Ebola: NUT dares FG, vow to shun schools Monday

    Ebola: NUT dares FG, vow to shun schools Monday

    The Federal Government came under fire on Tuesday when the Nigerian Union of Teachers directed its members to boycott classrooms on September 22.

    The directive follows Federal Government’s order for primary and secondary schools in the country to reopen next Monday.

    NUT said teachers will resume work on the September 22 if federal and state governments provide all necessary preventive equipment in schools.

    The President of the NUT, Michael Olukoya, gave the directive in Abuja, at a briefing with journalists after the body’s National Executive Council meeting.

    Olukoya directed that except state governments in the country provide training for teachers on handling of Ebola, make available infrared thermometer for the schools, including other facilities such as tap water and hand sanitizer, among others, teachers should not resume.

    He, however, said the NUT was not against the date given by the federal government for schools’ resumption, but that its members should not report in any of the schools except the conditions are met.

    He said, “The NUT is strongly of the opinion that it is better to delay the resumption of schools till October 13 even when the scourge would have been off months ago than to rush and open schools only to be faced with attacks of Ebola in the schools. It makes more sense to be doubly sure than to operate on shaky grounds of uncertainty and probability, as it will be a catastrophe of unimaginable dimension, if by any act of omission, we rush and open schools and end up with even one primary or secondary schools being infected by the virus.

    “But, where the government insists on the September 22 date in spite of the wise counsel, the union will rather direct teachers to resume schools whenever they are sufficiently trained and their schools have been provided with the necessary preventive and protective gadgets. For the avoidance of doubt, the teachers have this day resolved to resume classes in obedience to the federal government’s directive in states where teachers have been trained to handle any outbreak and all the required preventive and protective gadgets such as hand gloves, sanitizers, infra-red thermometers, running water and soaps have been provided as directed by the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

  • $1b required to check Ebola spread – WHO

    $1b required to check Ebola spread – WHO

    The unprecedented Ebola outbreak in West Africa requires a $1 billion response to keep its spread within the “tens of thousands” of cases, United Nations officials said on Tuesday.

    The virus has killed 2,461 people, half of the 4,985 infected by the virus, and the toll has doubled in the last month, World Health Organization Assistant Director General, Bruce Aylward, said.

    “Quite frankly, ladies and gentlemen, this health crisis we’re facing is unparalleled in modern times,” Aylward told a news conference in Geneva. “We don’t know where the numbers are going on this.”

    He said the WHO’s previous forecast that the number of cases could reach 20,000 no longer seemed a lot, but the number could be kept within the tens of thousands with “a much faster reponse.”

    U.N. Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, will launch a “global response coalition” in New York on Thursday, said Dr. David Nabarro, senior U.N. coordinator for Ebola.

    “The amount for which we requested was about $100 million a month ago and now it is $1 billion, so our ask has gone up 10 times in a month,” Reuters quoted Nabarro as saying to reporters.

    “Because of the way the outbreak is advancing, the level of surge we need to do is unprecedented, it is massive,” he said.

    The United States announced on Tuesday that it would send 3,000 troops to help tackle the Ebola outbreak as part of a ramped-up response including a major deployment in Liberia, the country where the epidemic is spiralling fastest out of control.

  • Ebola: Don recommends insects as substitute for `bush meat’

    Prof. Chukwunenye Anene, on Tuesday advised Nigerians to harness insects as alternative rich sources of protein to other sources of protein or `bush meat’ cause of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

    Anene, who is the Dean, Faculty of Natural Sciences in Anambra State University, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Igbariam near Onitsha, Anambra.

    The don said that with targeted research it would be possible to convert and harness some insects to produce rich protein for a very large population.

    Anene, who is a Professor of Entomology and Insect Pest Management, noted that it was regrettable that very delicious and well-known sources of protein (animal meats) in Africa, especially West Africa, are today dreaded by people.

    “Insects should no longer be called pests but treated fairly as food substances and alternative source of protein.

    “And where the regular protein from meat is been jettisoned by many, insect could as well replace these sources of protein for man.

    “So there is a need for a co-ordinated research in this direction since it had been found out that some insects, which are helpful to man, have high protein content,’’ he said.

    Anene, however, urged humans to stop the indiscriminate killing of insects as they play vital role in the existence of man.

    The don also advised health workers not to subdue all insects at the same time through their in-door and out-door non-selective residual spraying as well as other unhealthy environmental practices.

     

  • Ebola: No increase in freight rates on cargoes

    The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) Mr Hassan Bello has allayed the fear of importers and consumers, saying that there is no increase in the cost of freight on Nigeria-bound cargoes.

    He said the report that the European ship owners had increased freight rates on cargoes and also imposed surcharge on vessels and crew coming to Nigeria and other West African countries affected by the Ebola virus is not true.

    “There is no truth in the allegation. We have checked with the line carriers and their agents in Nigeria and they have all denied the increase. Ordinarily, when something like that is happening, it ought to be published.

    “What we have are the normal rates; the congestion charge, risk insurance and so on,” he said.

    Bello, however, said there was need to eliminate touts in freight forwarding practice, and urged practitioners to seek requisite knowledge in their chosen profession.

    According to Bello, the freight forwarding is a profession and the practitioners need to be trained to meet international best practices.

    He said as the economy continues to grow, freight forwarders also have a key role to play and that is why they should undergo training in freight forwarding.

    He said: “We must all do away with thugs and touts in the freight forwarding profession because we cannot afford to have them in port operations.

    “I don’t want to see touts as a freight forwarder, rather I want to see someone that is educated and can have the knowledge of international in the practice.

    “A freight forwarder needs training constantly, he needs to have an office where he must operate from because it goes beyond clearing of a cargo from the port.

    “If we have a strong freight forwarders in Nigeria, then most of our profession is also solved.”

    The secretary further described  freight forwarders as vital to trade, adding that there is need for professional training for the practitioners.

  • Ebola: Closing of borders not solution, say EU, ECOWAS

    The European Union (EU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have appealed against the closure of borders or  isolation of countries affected by the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

    The bodies warned that such an action could be counter-productive.

    Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea are most hit by the virus, killing over 2,000 people in the last six months. Nigeria also had a share, as the virus was brought to the country by a Liberian-American, the late Patrick Sawyer. It has killed seven people.

    The appeal was made at the 10th edition of the ECOWAS/Development Partners Annual Coordination Meeting held in Abuja. Officials from both regional bodies are meeting for the next three days with other institutions to discuss the virus, terrorism and other issues.

    European Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Michel Arrion, said closing borders against Ebola-ravaged countries was not a solution to containing the spread.

    “There is need to isolate the virus, but there is no need to isolate the countries,” he said.

    Arrion said if the sub-region’s ability failed, West African countries might face a dangerous threat to public health and security with the scourge of the disease.

    The EU ambassador noted that of the 15 countries in West Africa, three have been seriously affected, with two more having to deal with reported cases, while the other 10 have not had reported cases.

    Arrion, who urged member- countries to step up effort against the diseases, warned that one cannot rule out fresh cases in the region.

    The ECOWAS Commission’s President, Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, speaking with reporters, said although it was important that borders be closed, member-states must be conscious in terms of surveillance.

    “I appeal to ECOWAS member-states not to close their borders, not to isolate the affected countries because this will be counter-productive. We should cultivate the spirit of solidarity,” he said.

    Ouedraogo said recommendations had been made by the regional ministers of health on measures to be taken by every ECOWAS member-state to contain the epidemic by controlling the passengers at the exit and entry points in order to avoid contamination.

    “They have proposed the creation of Humanitarian Corridors, which we are implementing and we are working with ECOWAS member-states to establish these corridors. That is for each country. There should be a designated land entry point, air entry point and maritime entry point, which will be monitored by two neighbouring countries to ensure that the epidemic will not travel with the passengers. We should open the borders, but should be very vigilant to control the epidemic,” he said.

    The ECOWAS chief, who appealed for more funding from member-countries and development partners to tackle the disease, hailed Nigeria for contributing $3.5million to fight Ebola.

    “The West African Health Community has been at the forefront. The only thing is that we lack the financial resources to respond as quickly as we need. And right as we speak, I still appeal to our partners to provide us with the necessary financial support in order to be more efficient. ECOWAS is coordinating the fight against this epidemic and the West African Health Organisation is on ground.

  • Cleric warns against ‘looming danger’

    THE General Evangelist of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, Prophet Samuel Abiara, has warned the nation against a “looming danger.”

    Abiara, who spoke ahead of a one-day programme billed to hold at the CAC, Agbala Itura, Lagos on Friday and Saturday, said God instructed the church to pray for the people for one day to ward off  the impending danger.

    He said the programme tagged, “God of Refuge,” was organised “because this country needs protection. God said we must pray for 24 hours no stopping, starting from this Friday to the early morning of Saturday, to pray for Nigeria, the government, those who are travelling by air, by road, businessmen, women and to pray for the churches so that will not have any calamity before the end of this year.”

    He said God revealed to him about serious epidemic that was about to break in Nigeria sometimes in 2012, adding that Ebola virus is part of it.

    “This Ebola is small thing from what is going to come. Nigeria should expect something more terrible than what we are currently experiencing. That is why you need prayers and everybody should be involved.”

    The general evangelist said that if not for prayers, things would have been worse in the country.

  • Council sets up committee on Ebola 

    The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), has inaugurated a technical committee to tackle the ebola virus disease.

    The Chairman of the council, Hon. Micah Jiba, told reporters that the council had mapped out strategies to curb any possible outbreak, noting that the council had to be proactive considering the central location of the council.

    Jiba, who praised the media for the level of awareness, created about the disease, also enjoined them to sustain the tempo until cure of the Ebola virus is found by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

    The council chief also praised both the Federal Government and FCT Administration for what he described as “proactive steps” to address the scourge, even as he called on religious and traditional leaders to assist government in spreading the awareness campaigns which aim at curbing the spread of the virus.

    “I praise the media for the awareness created about the Ebola virus. I have a publication of one of the national dailies on Ebola virus. Through the media, we have known that routine cleaning and disinfection of animal houses with sodium hypochlorite (bleach) or other detergents are effective in inhibiting the virus.

    “Restricting or banning movement of animals from infected farms to other areas can reduce the spread of the disease and segregation of infected animals from others. This type of awareness can go a long way in checking the spread,” Jiba said.

    Jiba revealed that the Supervising Councillor, health and other senior primary health workers are members of the committee, adding that the committee will collaborate with other relevant bodies for positive result.