Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a virus found in animals such as monkeys,
gorillas, Chimpanzees, bats, forest antelopes etc. The virus causes highly
infectious and deadly EVD in humans when human comes in contact with the blood
or secretions of an infected animal or human (dead or alive).
It takes between 2 to 21 days after exposure to the virus for someone to
feel sick and show the signs and symptoms of EVD.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Early symptoms of EVD include fever, muscle pain, headaches, sore
throat, diarrhea, rash, impaired liver and kidney function, hiccups, difficulty
in breathing and swallowing, chest pains, internal and external bleeding.
CURRENT UPDATE IN
LAGOS
The good news is that no further infections have been reported in Lagos
and a bulk of those infected have been discharged. Only two are currently under
treatment and in stable condition. According to the Honourable Minister of Health,
Prof. Onyebuchi Chuckwu during the 2nd Emergency National Council on
Health Meeting on EVD Outbreak in Nigeria, a total number of 278 contacts under
surveillance in Lagos had completed the 21 day observation period and have been
discharged[1].
Evidently, the situation is being effectively managed by the Lagos State
Government working closely with the Incident Management Committee from the
Federal government.
HOW TO PREVENT SPREAD
OF EVD
1. Supporting the isolation of infected persons to avoid the spread of
the disease within the community.
2. Taking all sick persons with any of these signs and symptoms to the
nearest health facility immediately for medical attention.
3. Reporting the death of suspected EVD patients to the nearest health
facility.
4. Accepting to wear protective clothing such as gowns, gloves, face
mask and goggles each time you visit an Ebola virus disease patient in the health
facility to protect you from getting infected with EVD.
5. Avoiding traditional burial practices such as embalming and washing
of the dead body of suspected Ebola virus disease patient.
6. Informing family members, neighbours and friends about the signs, symptoms
and simple preventive measures against EVD such as:
i. Keeping the house
and environment clean always.
ii. Maintaining good
personal hygiene practices such as washing the hands with soap and water always.
iii. Avoiding eating
improperly cooked “bush meat”.
iv. Avoiding contact
with the blood, saliva, faeces and urine of animals such as fruit bats,
chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, forest antelope, etc (dead or alive).
v. Avoiding contact
with the blood, saliva, faeces and urine ofan infected person (dead or alive).
7. Ensuring that
everyone in your community is educated on the signs, symptoms and how to
prevent EVD through the public places like mosques, churches, schools, market
places etc.
Remember, there are no specific treatments for EVD. Patients are
isolated and then supported by health care workers!
For further information, please contact the Epidemiology Division,
Federal Ministry of Health/Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, Abuja OR Call:
08033120482, 08037154575 and 08037879701. You can follow @EbolaInfoFmohNg. ICM also
encourage you to follow @ebolaalert for latest updates.
THE PREVENTIVE
MEASURES TAKEN BY ICM INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
- Distributing
audio CDs around the mall to enlighten tenants and shoppers about the
virus. We have complemented that with circulating detailed information on
the virus.
- Provision
for hand sanitizers in strategic places within the mall which we expect to
arrive before the end of the week.
- All
members of staff, Contractors and store representatives have been dully
intimated about the virus and are currently putting into place measures to
ensure the mall & its environs are safe for our shoppers.
- Details
about preventative measures have also been placed in Electronic boards
within the mall.
- ICM
will also use our media platforms to inform and update shoppers/members of
the public about the EVD regularly.
ICM remains your choice destination for shopping, leisure and
entertainment.
Spread the knowledge, not the fear.
[1]
Statement of The Honourable Minister of Health, Prof. C.O. Onyebuchi Chukwu at
the 2nd
Emergency National Council on Health Meeting on Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in
Nigeria, pp 3-4. [1st September, 2014].
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