Dr Sule Bathner, a Consultant Endocrinologist, on Saturday in Bauchi, commended the proactive measures taken by relevant authorities to check the spread of Ebola Virus in Nigeria after the death of a Liberian citizen from the disease in Lagos.
Addressing a monthly meeting of members of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) Bauchi chapter, he said that apart from the proper handling of the case of the Liberian to avert spread of the virus, vigorous enlightenment efforts had been sustained.
According to him, the virus has been in existence for long, consuming lives in some African countries, but adds the figure of casualties this year, is higher than those of previous years.
“The virus has no cure for now but with quick intervention, there is 10 per cent probability that a patients could be lucky to survive. However, without proper First Aid, the probability of survival is zero,” he explained.
Bathner, who is also the Head of Department of Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Gombe, further explained that the easiest way of contracting the virus was through physical contact with a victim or the victim’s corpse.
[eap_ad_1] “Ebola Virus could be found in Bats, Monkeys, Gorillas and the like, but it (virus) does not harm them. The animals are like reservoirs, through which the virus could be contracted.
“Once a human being is in contact with these animals, he contracts the virus and spreads same to others. The disease is not air-borne and does not have specific signs different from other ailments before the stage of incubation
“That is why it is advisable that people should go to the hospital for investigation upon experiencing severe signs of fever and other symptoms,” he urged.
The consultant described as highly disturbing, reports that victims of the disease in some countries were going into hiding for fear of being isolated or quarantined.
He warned that unless measures were taken to address such behavior by patients, the spread of the virus would be beyond control.
On cure for the virus, Bathner explained that experts were working on a vaccine, adding that all things being equal, there might be a solution to the problem.(NAN)
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