By Gambo Abubakar Kaduna
The Chairman national Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Kaduna State Branch, has called on the governments and politicians to suspend their political gatherings as precautions for a possible outbreak of Ebola in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the association, Turman Benjamin Joseph, made the call in an interview with journalists in Kaduna following reports of a confirmed Ebola case in Abuja.
Joseph said the report was a warning to Kaduna State because of its closeness to the Federal Capital Territory, adding that the state needed to take steps to prevent the disease from spreading.
He called for proper identification and monitoring of people who had contact with the infected person to prevent further spread of the virus.
The chairman advised residents to avoid unnecessary physical contact, such as handshakes and hugging, and to maintain proper hygiene.
He also urged the government to provide enough protective equipment for health workers to protect them from infection while treating patients.
Joseph warned against handling the bodies of people suspected to have died from Ebola without proper protection. He said only trained health workers with the necessary protective equipment should handle such bodies.
He also advised residents to avoid eating bushmeat, especially bats, monkeys and other wild animals that may carry the virus.
The chairman urged politicians to use social media and online meetings for campaigns and other activities where possible to reduce large gatherings and physical contact.
He advised anyone who suspects that they may have the disease to seek medical attention instead of assuming that the symptoms are caused by malaria or another common illness.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the association, Jesse David, called on the Kaduna State Government to equip medical laboratories to enable them to test for Ebola and other viral diseases.
David said samples suspected to contain the Ebola virus currently had to be taken to Abuja for testing, which could delay the confirmation of cases.
He said Kaduna had qualified medical laboratory scientists who could carry out the tests if the government provided the necessary equipment and facilities.
The secretary urged residents to wash their hands regularly, avoid contact with people suspected of having the disease and report to hospitals when they notice unusual symptoms.
He explained that Ebola could cause symptoms similar to those of malaria and other illnesses, including fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, sore throat and muscle pain.
David therefore warned against self medication, saying laboratory tests were necessary to confirm whether a person had Ebola.
He added that people who had contact with an infected person should be monitored and isolated when necessary, in line with public health guidelines.
The secretary said early detection and prompt treatment could improve the chances of recovery.
He called on the government, health workers and the media to work together to educate the public and prevent the spread of the disease to Kaduna State.
The reported Ebola case in Abuja has raised concerns about the need for Kaduna State to strengthen its preparedness because of its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory. Health experts say early action, proper testing and public awareness are important in preventing the spread of the deadly disease.
