NAIJA SPEAKS! REASONS FOR EBOLA VIRUS IN AFRICA, WHY WE MAY LOSE MUCH AND ROUTE OF ESCAPE! (Submitted by Dr. Collins Chika Oriji - a private veterinarian) No, it can never be that God hates Africans. It is not because of its origin in Africa. Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), which was first recognized in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1976 and is now spreading to nearest countries is just one of those numerous known and unknown diseases ravaging most developing countries of the World. Before the outbreak of EVD was lassa fever. The cases of Influenza (Avain, Swine and Human) viruses which came as a global threat is now being eradicated in most developed countries, but still linger in Africa. Ebola became an emergency issue because of its high contagious nature and for the fact that it has touched the elites with high mortality rate. The story of poor people, family members dying mysteriously without a professional trace to the cause of death is not new or few in this part of the world. I have been to four countries in African and taking Nigeria - where I have been to nineteen out of thirty six states as a point of reference, many still suffer from strange diseases which have been tagged as malaria and typhoid. Someone may ask why? But the reasons are obvious and common. 1. Environment: Africans cannot just be blessed with wild range of natural resources with a selective kinds of beneficial microorganisms, our numerous wide species (plants and animals), fertile soil and good climatic conditions also harbor and favour the evil ones (pathogenic microbes), while we regularly give them the opportunity to share their loot. You will soon understand how. 2. Poverty: Poverty is not just a low level of living as per annual income, but low level of reasoning orchestrated by lack of orientation and ignorance of basic principles of good health and living. And how can we be oriented, and healthy in Nigeria where Education and Health sectors are the most striking parastatals of our government? Strikes are just signs of deficiencies. We should be grateful to God for quick identification and reporting of EVD while national hospitals still lack doctors due to strike! The rumor of bathing with salt water with many obeying was a further proof that quacks lead our health industry - fear and ignorance are twin fatal diseases. It is very bad that those we look up to and our leaders that ought to know are shielded. I was describing a surgical condition we carried out in a canine species to a roomate two years ago when someone around us challenged me as he was baffled by same procedures we carry out in lower species. As a medical doctor he understood every terminology and materials I mentioned but never in his life had a clue that we set infusion lines in those lower creatures. If we dont know that we are also at risk when our animals are ill then, why shouldnt Ebola Virus that has Bats mammals and primates as a reservoir host wont gain assess to human population to do its own share of harm? Till today, many states in Nigeria lack vets among their public service men and women. As a result 96% of meats consumed in Nigeria are not inspected by qualified veterinarians. Large quantity of frozen foods crossing Nigeria border from Benin Republic are another risk we feed our poor masses every day as no single expert account for them. Even now that every effort are geared towards the prevention of EVD, no plan yet to include control of the virus in animal population. The excretion of the victims even before confirmation of infection can still be generously distributed by lower species to potential population. We are poor both in pocket, orientation and in reasoning. Zoonotic diseases may continue to terrorize the nations of Africa until we recognize the roles of veterinarians Way forward (summary): 1. There is urgent need to equip our health sector with immediate effort - we have the money if only our leaders will understand the importance. 2. Disease prevention is a general responsibility and therefore any committee in health sector should include and consult all stake-holders involved to have a complete view. 3. Proper orientation of the masses as people are terrified instead being informed. People should be discouraged from self/quack medication and encouraged to visit hospitals anytime they are sick. 4. There should be a proper regulation to inspect the meat and animal products that our nations consume on daily basis.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 19:45:17 +0000
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