The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ebola

  • Ebola: Jonathan seeks ‘greater cooperation’ among West Africans

    Ebola: Jonathan seeks ‘greater cooperation’ among West Africans

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday called for strategic collaboration among West African countries to control and contain the Ebola Virus Disease.

    The President made the call, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, while receiving the new Ambassador of Guinea to Nigeria, Mr. Gaoussou Toure, who presented his letters of credence to the President at the State House, Abuja.

    Jonathan commended the containment measures so far taken by West African countries that have been affected by the disease, stressing that more concerted intra-regional cooperation and action needs to be developed.

    He said: “A problem that affects one of us affects all. We may need to come together as a region to strengthen our containment measures. I am however pleased that serious measures are being taken to control the spread of the disease.”

    Ambassador Toure had earlier thanked President Jonathan for the financial assistance given to Guinea by Nigeria for tackling the (Ebola) disease and assured him that Guinea is deploying containment measures to combat the outbreak.

    He reaffirmed Guinea’s commitment to strengthening the country’s cordial relations with Nigeria.

    Also speaking at separate audiences with the new Ambassador of Germany, Michael Peter Zenner and that of Denmark, Torben Antonio Gettermann, President Jonathan said the days of electoral violence in Nigeria are over and that the 2015 general elections will be free and fair.

    He called on the two Ambassadors to use their positions to strengthen the existing trade relations between their countries and Nigeria.

  • Passenger slumps, dies at airport

    Passenger slumps, dies at airport

    •Ebola test on him proved negative, says FAAN

    There was anxiety at the arrival floor of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos yesterday as a passenger on queue at the Port Health Unit of the terminal building slumped and died.

    It was while the passenger, Mr. Akunne Osei, was waiting to collect his vaccination and inoculation certificate otherwise known as “Yellow Card.”

    The passenger, who was identified as a Nigerian, was said to be on his way to Ghana for medical attention.

    The incident coincided with the maiden visit of the new Aviation Minister, Chief Osita Chidoka, who inspected facilities at both the domestic and international terminals of the airport.

    Sources at the airport said that the passenger arrived Lagos last Friday for business transactions and took ill in the process.

    When his health worsened, the sources said, he called his Accra, Ghana-based doctor, who advised him to return for further medical treatment.

    Confirming the incident, spokesman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Yakubu Dati, said: “The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria wishes to inform the public that a Nigerian passenger residing in Accra, who arrived Lagos for business transactions aboard an Arik Air flight on August 8, has died at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, on his way back to Accra.

    “The passenger, Mr. Akunne Osei took ill on Saturday, August 9, and started stooling. When the situation got worse, he called his doctor in Accra who instructed him to return to Ghana immediately for further treatment. During boarding formalities for his return trip to Accra, at the international terminal of the MMIA, Mr. Osei, who had obviously become weak at this time, was subjected to Ebola Virus test by port health officials, the result of which was negative.”

    He added: “No further attention was paid to him after his Ebola Virus result read negative, but the passenger later slumped and died around the port health office. This release is necessary to forestall the possible dissemination of unfounded and misleading media reports on the unfortunate incident.”

    One of his relations that accompanied him to the airport was shouting his name after he collapsed.

    Worried over the incident, security officials at the airport restricted access towards the area where the man lay lifeless on the floor. It was learnt that aviation security and medical personnel to the body to a nearby morgue.

  • This Ebola virus disease

    This Ebola virus disease

    These are not the best of times for roasted bush meat sellers out there whose means of livelihood are being threatened by the Ebola Virus Disease which literally flew into the country on July 20 from Monrovia, Liberia.

    The dreaded disease arrived in Lagos on that day when a Liberian/American, Patrick Sawyer already infected landed at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja and shortly after collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed to have been infected with the virus. He died a few days. Two of the medical personnel that attended to him later tested positive to the virus, one of them, the nurse later died.

    And since that incident, business has gone down for bush meat sellers as their customers, out of fear of contracting Ebola whose origin has been traced to certain bush meat commonly eaten in West Africa, have been boycotting their delicacies, some opting for fish.

    In these hard times, one can imagine what these sellers are going through now trying to put food on the table for their families against the odds. And with help not likely to come from any source, one can only pray that a solution to Ebola would be found quickly before it becomes an epidemic.

    While our sympathies go to these unfortunate bush meat sellers, our condolence to the family of the late nurse who like other brave medical personnel dared Ebola by attending to Sawyer, even at the risk of their personal health.

    The ease at which Sawyer was able to import the virus into the country without being detected even when he knew he had been infected back home in Liberia raises doubt about the ability of our Port Health authorities to detect and prevent the importation of dangerous/infectious diseases into the country. It also calls into question the kind of cooperation (if any) existing between health authorities across the West African sub region.

    Quite annoying was the revelation that the Liberian authorities knew or suspected that Sawyer was carrying the virus and they could not stop him from flying into Nigeria, even when they knew he was heading to Lagos. And if they couldn’t stop him at home why not alert their Nigerian counterpart that Sawyer was heading to our country and he should immediately be quarantined on arrival. Now the failure or inability of the Liberian government to do what every responsible government should do to safeguard public health has thrown Nigeria into trouble over this Ebola outbreak.

    If there is nothing in the ECOWAS protocol to compel governments in the sub region to prevent exportation of diseases from their country to other member states, then the Authorities of Heads of States and Governments should act fast to review the laws where necessary. The founding fathers of ECOWAS probably did not for see an Ebola outbreak or a trans-West Africa public health crisis when they agreed on the protocol in the 70s. It is about time we took a second look at the relevant provisions of the protocol, including those dealing with cross border crimes like armed robbery and terrorism, and even the 90 days residency without visa/work permit.

    The ECOWAS protocol has encouraged free movement of people and goods across the sub region by citizens of ECOWAS but the downside of this unfettered freedom of movement is the freedom to move about with deadly diseases like Ebola and most tragic of all, the freedom to spread terror like Boko Haram. Something has to be done and urgently too.

    But if Liberia couldn’t do what she supposed to do to prevent exportation of such diseases as Ebola to Nigeria or any other country, did that also excuse the Nigerian government from protecting her citizens from such dangers as Ebola? I mentioned Port Health earlier; in an ideal society this body should be the leading the fight against importation of all forms of diseases into the country. But is this body capable of protecting Nigerians? I have my doubt. And I will tell you why.

    In most parts of the world a yellow card is expected from travelers at the point of entry into their destinations. The card is supposed to confirm your status as regards immunization against some diseases. West Africa is an endemic region for Yellow Fever and other forms of malaria, hence all travelers from Nigeria and other ECOWAS member states are expected to be vaccinated against the disease before they could be allowed to enter another country. But you can get that card in Nigeria from any of our public hospitals, Health Centres, Local Government headquarters and the Port Health without being vaccinated.

    So if we can give a clean bill of health to someone who is probably infected with a dangerous disease without testing his health status, how can we then prevent someone with dangerous disease from entering the country, since we are not averse to exporting such? Until we stop and arrest our crooked ways people like Sawyer will continue to bring diseases like Ebola to us.

    I am sure if the man from Liberia had not collapsed on arrival, he would have entered the country freely and spread the disease to God knows how many Nigerians he would have had contact with before being struck down by the ailment. The fact that a flight was coming from an Ebola infested country should have alerted our health authorities to quarantine all passengers on board that flight for any sign of the disease. How many flights had arrived Lagos from Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and the other countries similarly affected by Ebola before the one that brought Sawyer into our country? Did we bother to check them? It is not unlikely that many people carrying the virus had been flown in from these countries before the July 20 flight that brought Sawyer; where are they now?

    It has often been said that we attach little value to human lives in this country as a few deaths here and there, even in their thousands no longer mean anything to us. A responsible and responsive government would have placed restrictions on all flights coming from these Ebola infested countries the moment the outbreak of the disease was reported there. But here in Nigeria, our government and its agencies had to wait until Ebola was flown into our country before they could act; and by then it was rather late, what a shame. Ebola is here with us now. How do we fight it?

    Even when the affected state called on the Federal Government to close our borders with some of our neighbours, the call was treated as a political talk coming from the opposition and it was dismissed. Now we are somehow in a crisis. May be if we had closed the borders that would have at least sent a message to our neighbours to act fast against the spread of the disease. I haven’t heard Benin Republic say anything yet, but if Ebola gets into that country or is already there and nothing is being done, then Lagos is in trouble. And if the disease becomes an epidemic in Lagos then Nigeria is in trouble. And if anything happens to Nigeria, West Africa is gone. It is as simple as that.

    I agree this is no time to apportion blame as all hands must be on deck to fight the Ebola Virus Disease. Wherever the cure/drug is Nigeria must get it, no matter the cost. We cannot afford an Ebola epidemic. It is too grave to contemplate.

  • U.S. patient in isolation: why we went to Liberia

    U.S. patient in isolation: why we went to Liberia

    The American doctor infected with Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Liberia, Dr. Kenth Brantley,  has called on all to pray for his recovery and faithfulness to God.

    Brantley, who wrote from his isolation room at Emory University Hospital in the United States, said he was not in Liberia specifically to fight Ebola but to serve God at Eternal Love Winning Africa ( ELWA) Hospital, Liberia.

    “My wife Amber and I, along with our two children, did not move to Liberia for the specific purpose of fighting Ebola. We went to Liberia because we believe God called us to serve Him at ELWA Hospital.

    “One thing I have learned is that following God often leads us to unexpected places. When Ebola spread into Liberia, my usual hospital work turned more and more toward treating the increasing number of Ebola patients. I held the hands of countless individuals as this terrible disease took their lives away from them. I witnessed the horror first-hand, and I can still remember every face and name”, he said, adding that following God leads one to unexpected places.

    He said he isolated himself immediately he fell ill.

    “When I started feeling ill on that Wednesday morning, I immediately isolated myself until the test confirmed my diagnosis three days later. When the result was positive, I remember a deep sense of peace that was beyond all understanding. God was reminding me of what He had taught me years ago, that He will give me everything I need to be faithful to Him.

    “Now it is two weeks later, and I am in a totally different setting. My focus, however, remains the same – to follow God. As you continue to pray for Nancy and me, yes, please pray for our recovery. More importantly, pray that we would be faithful to God’s call on our lives in these new circumstances.

    “I am writing this update from my isolation room at Emory University Hospital, where the doctors and nurses are providing the very best care possible. I am growing stronger every day, and I thank God for His mercy as I have wrestled with this terrible disease. I also want to extend my deep and sincere thanks to all of you who have been praying for my recovery as well as for Nancy and for the people of Liberia and West Africa.

    “My wife Amber and I, along with our two children, did not move to Liberia for the specific purpose of fighting Ebola. We went to Liberia because we believe God called us to serve Him at ELWA Hospital.”

    “One thing I have learned is that following God often leads us to unexpected places. When Ebola spread into Liberia, my usual hospital work turned more and more toward treating the increasing number of Ebola patients. I held the hands of countless individuals as this terrible disease took their lives away from them. I witnessed the horror first-hand, and I can still remember every face and name.

    “When I started feeling ill on that Wednesday morning, I immediately isolated myself until the test confirmed my diagnosis three days later. When the result was positive, I remember a deep sense of peace that was beyond all understanding. God was reminding me of what He had taught me years ago, that He will give me everything I need to be faithful to Him.

    “Now it is two weeks later, and I am in a totally different setting. My focus, however, remains the same – to follow God. As you continue to pray for Nancy and me, yes, please pray for our recovery. More importantly, pray that we would be faithful to God’s call on our lives in these new circumstances.”

  • Living in the throes of Ebola

    SIR: Nigerians are living in troubled times now. It is not the best of time to be a Nigerian. Has death not been let loose from the pit of Hades, and sent to Nigeria? Death is stalking all of us in Nigeria. In the north-east, members of the Boko Haram have embarked on a killing spree there, turning the area into a river of blood. The South-east and South-south states are reeling under the strangle-hold of armed robbers and kidnappers. There is blood everywhere. To compound our national woes, the Ebola virus disease has crept into our midst; brought into our country by one Patrick Sawyer, a citizen of Liberia. Sadly, the Ebola disease has started claiming lives of Nigerians. We are afraid of the disease because its lethality is swift and fast.

    But, what is Ebola disease? Ebola is a hemorrhagic fever. One can contract it when one’s bodily fluids come into contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person. It can be contracted by eating bats, too. It is not an air-borne disease. Relatives and care-givers of people suffering it are at a great risk of contracting it. The symptoms of the disease are high fever, bleeding and central nervous system break-down.

    In 1976, the Ebola disease first afflicted people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is formerly called Zaire. It was contained there, then. Now, the disease has re-appeared on the African continent with ferocity, starting from Guinea, and sweeping through Liberia, Sierra-Leone and Nigeria like whirl-wind.

    Over 950 people have died of the disease since its latest outbreak occurred in Guinea. Superstition as well as myth woven around it has increased its momentum. People in some countries affected by the disease believe that it is introduced into their countries by white people to decimate their population. More so, in some countries, the practice of washing corpses before burying them has increased the spread of the disease.

    With the death of a Liberian in Lagos, Nigeria, the disease has entered the shores of Nigeria. Only one of the nurses who attended to the Liberian had died of the Ebola disease. Others tested positive to it. Air travel which is the fastest means of transportation has made many countries susceptible and prone to experiencing the outbreak of Ebola disease in their countries. It has become a global health scourge and menace.

    Sadly, health infrastructure and facilities in West African countries are pathetic and dysfunctional. Liberia, Sierra-Leone, and Guinea that are being ravaged by the disease are poor and underdeveloped countries. They need monetary aid as well as medical assistance from the Europe and America in order to curtail the spread of the disease in their countries. In Nigeria, the health care delivery system leaves much to be desired, with doctors in the government’s employ always embarking on perennial industrial action. Here, in Nigeria, well-heeled Nigerians travel to India and South-Africa to seek cures for minor ailments. That is a testimony of the state of our hospitals.

    Nigeria has the financial capacity to develop its health institutions, and transform the government-owned hospitals to centres of medical excellence. More so, thousands of Nigerian-born medical doctors are excelling in the medical profession in the Diaspora. They rub shoulders with the white people in their medical endeavours. If our leaders are visionary and competent, they can lure back those health professionals and entrust them with the task of re-building our health sector. But, leadership is myopic and inept here. Consequently, government hospitals are criminally neglected.

    The fact is that a paralytic and bumbling government begets universities where lecturers do not engage in scientist researches. Have our virologists and epidemiologists come up with learned works on the Ebola disease? No, we are always waiting for the white people to save us from danger. Now, information about the efficacy of bitter kola as a cure for Ebola disease is making the rounds in our country with a vengeance. Some people are dipping themselves in salty warm water and drinking the same in order that they will not contract the disease. We are in the twenty first century, but our country has been transported back to the medieval period.

    We have a health emergency on our hands. Happily President Goodluck Jonathan has declared the outbreak of Ebola ‘a national emergency’ and approved more than $11 million to help contain it.

    In the past, humanity suffered swine flu and bubonic fever diseases; yet, those diseases were contained. We can stop the deathly march of Ebola disease in its track in our country if we show the will and do the right things.

    • Chiedu Uche Okoye

    Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State

     

  • Can Nigeria win the war against Ebola?

    Can Nigeria win the war against Ebola?

    Containing the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak is the major challenge both the Federal and the Lagos State governments are grappling with. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA and WALE ADEPOJU report.

    can Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) be contained in Nigeria? With 139 suspected cases, two deaths and nine confirmed cases, the country seems to be running against time. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Ebola outbreaks can devastate families and communities, but the infection can be controlled through the use of recommended protective measures in clinics and hospitals, at community gatherings, or at home.

    Nigeria was never proactive in the prevention of the disease.

    An outbreak of EVD in West Africa was first reported late March 2014. As of August 4, this year, according to the WHO, 1,711 cases and 932 deaths (case fatality 55-60 per cent) have been reported across the three affected countries. This is the largest outbreak of Ebola ever documented and the first recorded in West Africa.

    So far Nigeria’s case fatality rate for Ebola Virus Disease is 28.6 percent. In the ECOWAS region, the case fatality rate stands at 55 percent, which means 45 percent of people who have suffered Ebola are alive and living witnesses.

    EVD is one of numerous viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF). It is a severe, often fatal disease in human and nonhuman primates. EVD is spread by direct contact with the blood or secretions (urine, faeces, semen, breast milk, and possibly others) of an infected person or exposure to objects that have been contaminated with infected secretions. The incubation period is usually eight to 10 days (rarely ranging from two to 21 days).

    While neighbouring countries on the Western coast were recording confirmed cases and deaths, Nigeria was paying lip service to precautionary measures and campaigns to sensitise the citizenry on what the disease is; mode of transmission and contraction, among other recommendations by the WHO, inspite of the porous borders.

    And with the index case of late Patrick Sawyerr, an American-Liberian, on July 22, in Lagos; the governments are now trying to contain Ebola’s spread. The development is already creating anxiety among the populace.

    A nurse and a doctor who attended to the late Sawyer died. Ebola disease has no known cure, for now.

    Though at the international scene there are two drugs- TKM-Ebola and ZMAPP with the potentials to treat the disease, the country is yet to access the drugs due to logistics reasons.

    President Goodluck Jonathan has declared an emergency over the Ebola outbreak and approved N1.9 billion to contain it. The money is expected to be used in strengthening steps to contain the virus by putting up additional isolation centres, case management, contact tracing, deployment of additional personnel, screening at borders, and the procurement of required items and facilities.

    So far, the Federal Government in conjunction with the Lagos State Government has been able to put up some tents at the General Hospital, Mainland, Yaba, former Infectious Disease Hospital, to quarantine suspected cases.

    The Management of the University Teaching Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State has stated that it can deal with Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF) outbreak.

    According to the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof Temitope Alonge, Ebola belongs to a group of Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs), which refer to a group of illnesses that are caused by several distinct families of viruses.

    The CMD said his hospital has the human capacity and facility to detect and manage the Ebola because, “We have been proactive as far back as 2012, by setting up VHF isolation precautions as well as standard precautions, which enabled us to manage Dengue fever and other outbreaks back then. It was later confirmed that  no further nosocomial transmission of the virus was documented, indicating that although Dengue is highly infectious, the use of these measures is effective in preventing the spread of disease and other Viral hemorrhagic fevers, such as Ebola.”

    According to Alonge, UCH has one of the best virology laboratories in West Africa, with capacity to test hemorrhagic and contagious diseases like Dengue, Lassa fever and Ebola disease.

    He said UCH had taken proactive steps since 2012 to prepare for emergencies like this, by setting up the UCH Emergency Response to Disaster Committee, though the concern then was cholera, and Lassa fever last year.

    “I’m surprised when people say we cannot make diagnosis of Ebola and that is not true. The Minister of Health has said we can. UCH has the biggest virology lab in terms of clinical care. We look after polio and ours is a place where we would give you all the strains of polio in Nigeria and the Lassa fever detected in Mokola some years ago. We have a lab that is part-funded by the WHO that has the facility to diagnose not only Ebola, but Lassa and Dengue fevers. We have the capacity to do 500 cases as I speak. But on daily basis, we can collect the specimen and run it. With the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we can do 35 cycles within a day. To say that we cannot make diagnosis in Nigeria is not correct but what we normally do and in line with international standard, we collect another sample for further sampling.”

    He said UCH is prepared not only to take care of, “our patients if they come but also to educate the public. We have been doing this before now and have started setting up our tents before any institution in the country starts.

    “We are also prepared to assist any state that can bring samples to Ibadan for analysis. The only challenge we have now is having no space for whole cremation, but part-cremation, which we have been doing for the likes of diabetes-foot among others,” he said.

    The CMD said the institution would stage an awareness campaign to enlighten members of the public on the disease.

    “We have provided simple fliers to tell the public what Ebola is, symptoms and what people can do to prevent it. They are to be distributed in Gbagi market, Dugbe market and Gbagi Titun, so that people can have an idea. We have also gone ahead to translate the language to Yoruba and Hausa,” he said.

    He said the major challenge now facing his hospital is how to cremate bodies of Ebola deceased, should there be in his hospital, but, “we have contacted the India communities and other experts in that field and they are ready to collaborate with us should the need arises. We have also printed out pamphlets in English, Yoruba and Hausa languages on what Ebola is, mode of transmission and preventive measures. We have enough Personal Protective Garments (PPG) for the workforce, so UCH is ready and prepared. It will be irresponsible of anybody to say we do not have the capacity in terms of laboratory to diagnose Ebola. The Minister, Prof Onyebuch Chukwu has clearly stated that Nigeria can make accurate diagnoses of Ebola.

    “Not only that, we have a bill board that scrolls every five minutes at the main gate, called orita mefa (six-T-junctions), where passers-by stay glued reading the information on Ebola. The important thing now is to prevent contracting same by washing of hands with either soap, ash or use sanitizers.”

    Meeanwhile, the government is soliciting for volunteer health workers because medics in its employment are on strike, just as nurses are skeptical of their full service delivery.

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), which is the parent body of all doctors association in the country is concerned about the safety of its members, who would treat the Ebola patients. Members want government to stipulate in clear terms the coverage of the insurance policy.

    In the wake of this, the 38-day old strike was called off, but the association is divided over whether Nigeria has what it takes to solve the problem.

    A faction among the association said the country is ill-equipped to contain the outbreak.

    Nurses, too, are against the government for the death of their colleague to Ebola virus disease (EVD).

    They said they wont be cajoled into signing their ‘death warrant’.

    Past National Deputy President, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, (NANNM), Mr Olufemi Tonade, described the death of the nurse as  unfortunate, pathetic and painful.

    He said it is quiet unfortunate that the Federal Government has not addressed basic needs of healthcare workers, especially nurses.

    Tonade said nurses will not be swayed by government’s deceit because there is dearth of equipment.

    “We have concluded that we are not going to sign a death warrant. How will the government who cannot resolve basic health needs solve the problem of EVD, which has posed a very serious health hazard. This has shut down Liberia and may shut down other West African countries,” he said.

    He said the government did not get  its priorities right because EVD is deadly and cannot be politicised.

    It should be addressed with all fiat by any serious government, he added.

    He said no hospital in Nigeria is prepared to handle the disease.

    “They should not politicise it that they have protective equipment. It is no longer preventive in Nigeria rather it is now curative approach,” Tonade noted. The United States, he said, has just tested a drug. “So, all we are saying is that the government should be decisive and tackle the disease headlong.

    He said NNMAM is trying to identify the matron who died from the disease.

    “For now, we do not know if she is in the private sector or public sector.  No amount of money can be given to nurses to attend to an Ebola patient.

    This is because nothing is working in Nigeria. The Insurance industry is not effective in Nigeria.  The government insurance scheme could be likened to the third party insurance people have on their car. And you know with third party insurance, you do not expect anything when your car gets damaged,” he said.

    He said nurses do not have faith in government’s life insurance coverage, saying: “Insurance system in Nigeria is not effective. We cannot promise our members to take such life insurance.”

    Besides, we will not allow our members to sign such a death warrant, although it is true we have the man power but no facilities.

    He said that is why health workers resisted the government from bringing Ebola patients to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) because there are no facilities there.

    He said: “In a third party insurance, you don’t have to wait for anybody to repair your car and that is exactly what the government’s life insurance is all about. “What would the government give that could compare to the lives of doctors, nurses and pharmacists, among other health professionals,” he said.

    He advised the government to seek help from developed countries, such as the US. “ Let them bring in the drugs that the Americans are currently using for their people. Yes we have quarantined them but we need serious commitment on the part of government,” Tonade stated.

  • PSN urges research on Ebola

    Worried  by the outbreak of Ebola virus disease, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has urged researchers to conduct a study to identify a vaccine for the prevention of the disease.

    In recent reviews by the PSN research and study group, it was discovered that some previous work had been conducted through these reflected studies:

    • High-titeredhyperimmune horse anti-Ebola serum has been protective in baboons experimentally challenged with Ebola (1).

    • Monoclonal antibodies from the marrow of Ebola survivors (2)

    • A potential, promising vaccine that offered considerable protection against Ebola to guinea pigs (3).

    • In mice used as a model for Ebola infections, a series of nucleoside analogue inhibitors of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase provided protection against Ebola-Zaire when administered within 2 days of Ebola-Zaire infection.

    Three companies, the US government and the Public Health Agency of Canada are behind the experimental drug.

    “ZMapp was first identified as a drug candidate in January 2014 and has not yet been evaluated for safety in humans. As such, very little of the drug is currently available”.

    Promoters of “ZMapp and its partners are co-operating with appropriate government agencies to increase production as quickly as possible.”

    ZMapp is a drug still in its experimental stage being produced by Mapp Biopharmaceuticals in collaboration with LeafBio (San Diego, CA), Defyrus Inc. (Toronto, Canada), the U.S. government and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).  This drug is composed of three humanised monoclonal antibodies manufactured in plants specifically the plant Nicotiana which is commonly used in tobacco production.  Genes of the necessary antibodies are fused to the tobacco genes, infecting the tobacco with the virus. The plant then produces wanted antibodies that are subsequently separated from the plant when it is ground up. The body’s immune system can vigilantly fight off the virus once the antibodies from the serum are present in the blood system. The treatment offers an artificial immune response to the virus, and the lab-made antibodies then fight the infection by binding to the Ebola virus. Since it is still in the experimental stage, it has not yet been tested in humans for safety or effectiveness and more study is needed.

    ZMapp is not a vaccine and is being designed solely for treatment of the Ebola disease; however the NIH (National Institute of Health) in the US is working on developing a vaccine. It is also supporting the Crucell biopharmaceutical company in its development of an Ebola/Marburg vaccine as well as Profectus Biosciences in its development of an Ebola vaccine.

    Additionally, NIH and the Thomas Jefferson University are collaborating to develop a candidate Ebola vaccine based on the established rabies vaccine. Zmapp has yet to enter Phase 1 testing but has shown some success in treating Dr Kent Brantley and Nancy Writebol who contracted the virus while working in Africa. Although neither patient is cured each has shown considerable improvement in their condition.

    The FDA has recently authorised the use of a diagnostic test for Ebola developed by the department of defense called the DoD EZ1 Real time RT-PCR Assay to help determine if aid workers and responders are infected.  Until experimental drugs pass clinical trials and are available for human treatment, the best treatment for individuals infected with the virus is supportive care. This includes, providing fluids, maintaining blood pressure, providing oxygen as needed, replacing lost blood and treating other infections that develop.

  • Bodies celebrate world Breastfeeding Week

    CHILD Health Advocacy Initiative (CHAI) has collaborated with Ikeja Local Government and the Lagos State Ministry of Health (LSMOH) to celebrate the 2014 World Breastfeeding week. It is a celebration that is set aside every year globally to commemorate the world Breastfeeding week.

    The theme for this year is “Breastfeeding: score a goal; save a life”, at the Ikeja Local Government Hall, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos.

    It is a call for action to support breastfeeding, calling on policy makers, healthcare providers, employers and the community at large to support mothers in reaching their personal breastfeeding goal.

    In attendance were: Mrs Lola Alonge, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Director of Child Health Advocacy Initiative (CHAI), Hon. Wale Odunlami, Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Mrs Toyin Adams, representing the Commissioner of Health, Lagos state, Dr. Yemi Sofola, acting Chairman Health Board amongst others.

    The Chief Executive Officer of CHAI, Lola Alonge expressed joy, saying: “CHAI, a United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is one of the major advocates of breastfeeding in Nigeria for 10 years.

    She said: “Breastfeeding is the right of the child and the best investment that can be given to the child.” Hence, exclusive breastfeeding, an adequate complementary feeding are key interventions for improving child survival and saving the lives of about 20 per cent of children.

    The principles of breastfeeding, she said, includes breastfeeding a child within 30minutes of delivery and continuing until six months of age, continue with other foods until two years.

    Alonge said during exclusive breastfeeding, a child should not be given water, herbal drink, or other foods, unless prescribed by the doctor. The baby’s mouth must be wide open and should cover most of the black area of the nipple (Areola), adding that, “the baby’s head and body must be in a straight line during breastfeeding and the baby’s nose must be opposite to the nipple.”

    Hence, mothers should position and attach the baby to the breast properly and allow their hands touch the breast while feeding, she said.

    She further said: “The baby’s whole body should be supported and be held close to the mother’s body”. Also, the mother should look into the eyes of the child when breastfeeding.

    The benefit of breastfeeding is enormous both to the mother and child, adding that; “it helps to reduce poverty because the mother will save money on formula, it helps in child spacing and also creates bonding between the mother and child.”

    Other benefits are that it is highly digestible, it comes out in normal temperature, it makes the child intelligent. Also, it is cheap and doesn’t cost anything to produce. It makes the child healthy and prevents the child from illnesses.

    According to her, for mothers to achieve the best, there must be an enabling environment and places where mothers can breastfeed in public. Thus, women should not be intimidated or harassed for breastfeeding in the public.

    She said more awareness about breastfeeding must be given to mothers who go for ante-natal in health care centres.

    To support the programme, Alonge said: “CHAI has introduced breastfeeding counseling line for mothers to come and receive support where necessary.”

    She urged mothers to always seek advice from experts on the type of drugs to take when breastfeeding so as not to affect the child.

    She said, in Section 227 of the Criminal code law of the Lagos State, 2011, states that: “a man cannot abandon a woman who is pregnant for him, neither his child which is his responsible for. He must be responsible for the ante-natal and post-natal of the mother and child, and also the upkeep of the child.”

    Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Hon. Wale Odunlami, urged mothers not to forget the immunization of their children of the ages of zero to five, and to keep abreast of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) situation. He enjoined mothers to keep a good hygiene to prevent illnesses.

    Odunlami thanked CHAI for their support to mothers and the women present at the event for coming out with their babies in large numbers.

    Representing the Commissioner of Health, Lagos state, Mrs Toyin Adams, said breastfeeding prevents the child from diarrhea, breast cancer, ovarian cancers and other illnesses. Adding that, “a child that is well breastfed has higher intelligent brain. This can only be achieved with exclusive breastfeeding.”

    She said people need to bring their attention to the current national exclusive breastfeeding rate, as at 2008 13 per cent, while in 2011 15 per cent, which is the multiple total survey carried out in Nigeria.

    By 2013, the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) indicated that the national exclusive breastfeeding rate is 17 per cent, which is grossly unacceptable, she said.

    Adams said “CHAI in the past 10 years has been supporting breastfeeding in Lagos State, technically with bill boards, provision of price for breastfeeding champions”.

    She enjoined mothers to visit the primary health centers in case of breast feeding challenges because they are professional health workers and would be of assistance to them. Adding that, “ the Lagos state government is putting all its best in ensuring that the health centers are up to standard.”

    She said, youths need to be stimulated about breastfeeding becoming parents for adequate knowledge of it. She therefore appealed to the media that their reports on the breastfeeding week should be yearly.

  • Ebola drama at FEC meeting

    The deadly Ebola virus disease ravaging some West African countries ignited some drama at the beginning of last week’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Ebola, which currently has no cure, according to World Health Organisation, has claimed the lives of over 930 victims mainly in the West African sub-region and have infected over 1,700 persons.

    While a Liberian, the late Patrick Sawyer imported the virus to Nigeria, one Nigerian nurse was confirmed dead last week and five other Nigerians have been confirmed carriers of the virus.

    Most members of the Council who normally shake hands and hug while greeting each other before the meeting begins, jokingly refrained from such acts last week for fear of contacting the disease.

    When the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku came into the Council Chamber, he did not shake hands with colleagues of his as he went round greeting them by holding his clinched fist towards his chest in the northerners’ way of greeting.

    At each point, he maintained a safe distance from his colleagues and was saying Rankadede, Rankadede, Rankadede.

    The joke took another dimension when the Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu entered the Council Chamber.

    As soon as some of colleagues of his saw him coming in, they left his path and refused to shake hands with him.

    The Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, who was discussing with the Ministers of Labour, Emeka Wogu and Sports, Tamuno Danagogo by the entrance asked Chukwu when he approached them with his hand stretched out: “Make I shake you?”

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, who was approaching the four ministers as the joke continued with Chukwu, brought another angle to the drama.,

    He started shouting ‘Ebola’, ‘Ebola,’ ‘Ebola’ as he ran away from the Health Minister. He refused to shake hands with the minister.

    On his way to his seat after leaving the four ministers, Adoke saw the Minister of State for Health, Khaliru Al-hassan and asked him in Hausa language: ‘Ka je Lagos?’ (Meaning: ‘have you been to Lagos?).

    After the Minister of State for Health responded by saying ‘no’, Adoke then shook hands with him.

    It will not be surprising to see some ministers coming to FEC meeting tomorrow wearing hand gloves, nose masks, thick eye-goggles and other gadgets to prevent contracting the disease.

    Besides the jokes and drama, threat of the Ebola virus and how to contain it was the only matter that engaged the attention of the Council presided over by Vice-President, Namadi Sambo when the meeting started around 10.15 a.m. last week.,

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Chukwu said: “We have a national emergency, indeed the world is at risk. Nobody is immune. The experience in Nigeria has alerted the world that it takes just one individual to travel by air to a place to begin an outbreak.”

    “It is an emergency and secondly everyone is at risk. We have recorded seven confirmed cases, which were in contact with the first imported index case from Liberia. Yesterday, August 5, the first known Nigerian to die of the EVD was recorded and this was one of the nurses that attended to the Liberian. The other five cases are currently being treated at the isolation ward in Lagos.”

    On some steps being taken to stop the spread of the disease in Nigeria, he said: “This morning, I sent an e-mail to the Director of the US Centre for Disease Control. We have being in communication in the last 36 hours. We are getting reports that the experimental seems to be useful. It is also possible that we can have access for our own people who are currently being treated under isolation.

    “We are making efforts, we are relating with them and we are doing everything possible that will ensure that we contain this disease.”

    President Goodluck Jonathan could not attend the FEC meeting as he was in Washington DC, United States of America, attending the United States-African Leaders Summit along with other African leaders.

    Just about 25 per cent of the current number of ministers did not attend the FEC meeting.

    Out of the present 43 ministers holding various portfolios in the cabinet, 27 of them attended the Sambo-led FEC meeting last week.

    A statement by the Special Adviser to President Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, last week disclosed that four ministers will be in Washington DC with the President for the summit.

    That means that 12 ministers who did not travel with the President did not attend the FEC meeting last week.

    The ministers, who accompanied the President, according to the statement, were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, the Co-ordinating Minster of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, and the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo.

    The 27 ministers who were in the Council Chamber when the FEC meeting began last week were Ministers of Agriculture (State), Asabe Ahmed, Aviation, Osita Chidoka, Defence, Aliyu Gusau, Education, Ibrahim Shekarau, Environment, Laurencia Mallam.

    Others at the meeting were the two ministers for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senator Bala Mohammed and Mrs. Oloye Olajumoke-Akinjide, Finance (State), Ambassador Bashir Yugudu, Foreign Affairs (State II), Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed, the two ministers for Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu and Dr Khaliru Alhassan.

    Also at the meeting were Ministers of Information, Labaran Maku, Interior, Abba Moro, Justice/Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, Labour  and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, Mines and Steel Development, Mohammed Sada, National Planning, Abubakar Suleiman and Niger Delta Affairs, Steven Oru.

    The other ministers who were also at the meeting were Power (State), Mohammed Wakil, Science and Technology, Abu Bulama, Sports, Dr. Tamuno Danagogo, Trade and Investment (State), Samuel Ortom, Transport, Idris Umar, Women Affairs, Mrs. Zainab Maina, the two Ministers of Works, Mike Onolememen and Adedayo Adeyeye and Special Duties, Taminu Turaki.

  • Ebola in the mind of residents

    Ebola in the mind of residents

    When news of the Ebola virus that was ravaging most parts of the continent broke out, Nigerians, especially residents of Abuja, regarded it as something happening in another planet which will not be experienced in the country.

    This was the thinking before Patrick Sawyer; a Liberian who was infected with the virus came to Nigeria. With his coming, the city of Lagos which residents of Abuja always considered the fun town became threatened. Residents began to realise how close to home the deadly virus is getting.

    Unlike some other cities in the country, Abuja is no stranger to threats, with the Boko Haram insurgents and their bombings that have continued to keep residents on the alert. Residents’ already jittery mood is now compounded by the fear of Ebola regarded by many as latest enemy.

    Just as expected, residents have taken up what they considered the most precautionary measures which mostly involves avoiding everyone as much as possible.

    For example, the popular designers’ market which always attracted so many ladies who go to shop for affordable clothes did not witness half of its usual crowd of customers. Most of the shoppers that came around the last time mostly did not wear their usual short skirts; neither did they try to make body contacts with other shoppers.

    When mistakenly some of the ladies realised that an unknown person had unknowingly had contact with them or came close to doing that, they will dodge and scream “Ebola”.

    Even though the FCT Administration, unlike the Lagos State Government, hasn’t done much in terms of educating residents on what the virus is all about, its symptoms and what to do to avoid contracting the disease, except the campaign being carried out by the Federal Ministry of Health, residents, on their own, have taken up measures that they believe would work for them.

    Before now, residents always shake hands with and hug their friends. But these days, they have refrained from such acts. They politely avoid this by saying “sorry we can’t shake hands anymore because of Ebola,” among other polite ways of avoiding contacts with people.

    Some employees of banks around the city now wear masks and gloves as precautionary measures, some private establishments in the city have begun applying sanitisers on the palms of customers and visitors to avoid the possible spread of the virus, especially on their door knobs or rails.

    Bitter kola which the present generation had considered meant for the old men and women is now very much in vogue. Those who deal in bitter kola are now into lucrative business as residents willingly stock-pile it.

    Jane, who sells bitter kola, kola nut, cashew nut and groundnut close to the Wuse Market, confirmed that more people are now buying bitter kola unlike before. “Because of this Ebola outbreak, people now eat bitter kola. I have finished selling my own bitter kola even before the cashew nut or groundnut. For me this is good for business because people need to eat bitter kola to protect themselves,” she said.

    Her customer, who refused identifying himself, spoke a bit harshly when reminded of the fact that bitter kola has not been scientifically proven to prevent the virus. He said: “I don’t care if the Minister of Health said that the bitter kola will not work because I believe that he doesn’t know anything about all the wonderful healing powers of this bitter kola. Prof. Maurice Iwu that said that it could work was not drunk when he made that statement.

    “What do you mean by scientifically proven? Did our forefathers wait for science when treating themselves with roots and herbs? They lived longer than us that are waiting for the Whiteman’s science and dying like chicken. I’m sure that it is the Whiteman that said bitter kola is not scientifically proven to be an antidote to the Ebola virus.

    “They can never believe that anything good could come from Africa, unless it comes from them. As long as I am concerned, I will continue to consume this bitter kola in large quantity until they say the Ebola virus has come under control. This is nothing but a conspiracy.”

    Even though no one has claimed to have proved its potency when it started spreading all over the country like wild fire, Nigerians, especially residents of Abuja, believed the rumour whole heartedly.

    Another angle to the healing and prevention theory was that of bathing with water mixed with salt to prevent the Ebola virus.

    By Friday morning, people all over the country started calling their loved ones to inform them of the salt and water bathe in order to prevent the virus.

    Most residents confirmed that they had actually bathed with the salt and water mixture, even though they knew that it was not possible to prevent the virus with such a remedy.

    Usman Kunle, a resident of Nyanya confirmed that he really woke up early to bath with salt water.

    His words: “My parents from the village called me very early this morning and insisted that I bath with salt water. I actually asked my neighbours and realised that everyone else was doing it, so I simply joined even though I do not believe in such superstition. Sometimes you just do some things to please people.”

    A scary rumour began to make the rounds the same day that a man had flown into Abuja from Lagos and they realised that he had Ebola and was taken to the Garki General Hospital. Some even claimed that he had already infected about 21 persons.

    People became scared but eventually the FCT Health Secretariat was able to confirm that the report was false and that so far, there was no case of the virus in the FCT.

    As long as the virus is not air-borne and can only be contracted through physical contact or exchange of bodily fluid from a carrier, we can prevent it by being careful and constant washing of our hands.