Zika Virus: Minister Advises Nigerians on Good Individual, Community Hygiene
Abuja, Feb. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has advised Nigerians to keep their environments clean and protect themselves from mosquito bites to guard against being infected with the Zika virus.
He gave the advice on Thursday in Abuja at a news conference.
He said that the Zika Virus, first discovered in Zika forest in Uganda in 1947, belongs to the flavivirus group of viruses to which yellow fever and dengue viruses also belong.
Zika is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of infected mosquitoes of Aedes species that spread yellow fever, dengue and chikungunya fevers.
According to the minister, the Aedes mosquito species exist in Nigeria and with the exception of Aedes the albopictus, have been found to be transmitting yellow fever and dengue viruses.
Adewole said that although the Zika virus was discovered in Western Nigeria in 1954, studies had shown that 40 per cent of Nigerian adults and 25 per cent of Nigerian children had antibodies to attack the virus.
This means that they are protected against the virus.
But in spite of the fact that some Nigerians are immuned to the Zika virus infection as demonstrated by studies, it is important and advisable that Nigerians should be careful and protect themselves from mosquito bites.
There is no vaccine for Zika virus and no cure other than taking plenty of rest, plenty of fluids and perhaps over-the-counter medication to reduce fevers, aches and pains.
This, therefore, means that prevention is the most effective means of preventing transmission.’’
The minister also advised Nigerians, particularly pregnant women to avoid travelling to countries currently infected by the virus.
He noted that ``pregnant women considering travel to affected areas may wish to consult their healthcare provider prior to travel and after return.’’
He then stressed the need for personal and household steps to prevent mosquitoes, including the use of mosquito repellant on clothes and skin, wearing of long sleeves and pants, and sleeping under mosquito nets.
He also advised states to embark on health education campaigns to educate communities on what to do to protect themselves from Zika virus, as well as other mosquito-borne diseases.
He added that ``Nigerians returning from countries where the virus are found should report themselves to any nearest health centres as soon as they feel unwell and should inform the healthcare workers about their travel history.’’
The minister said that he had instructed the Port Health Services of the Ministry of Health to immediately adjust and include points of entry screening to capture anti-Zika activities.
The Federal Ministry of Health shall collaborate with the Ministry of Environment to embark on mosquito population reducing campaigns that will include the use of larvicide.
Adewole explained that the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had been directed to enhance Zika virus surveillance activities.
The NCDC had also been directed to work with the Arbovirus Research Centre, Enugu, to embark on extensive vector control and research activities to confirm the current circulation status of both Zika virus and the mosquitoes that spread it, he said.
He emphasised that healthcare workers were to report any illness in pregnant women with symptoms similar to haemorrhagic fever, birth defect, particularly microcephaly to the State Epidemiologists and the NCDC.
The NCDC is to expand the Field Epidemiology Training programme, laboratory testing, healthcare provider training and vector surveillance and control in risk areas for Zika virus transmission, he added.
The minister then directed laboratories currently testing for other haemorrhagic fever viruses to include the test for Zika virus.
He then urged Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant and report any suspected case of acute febrile illness in pregnant women in particular, to nearest health facility as such facilities were also directed to emphasise routine infection, prevention and control measures.
He called on healthcare facilities in the country to give special attention to pregnant women and to offer free treatment to anyone with viral haemorrhagic fever. (NAN)
He gave the advice on Thursday in Abuja at a news conference.
He said that the Zika Virus, first discovered in Zika forest in Uganda in 1947, belongs to the flavivirus group of viruses to which yellow fever and dengue viruses also belong.
Zika is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of infected mosquitoes of Aedes species that spread yellow fever, dengue and chikungunya fevers.
According to the minister, the Aedes mosquito species exist in Nigeria and with the exception of Aedes the albopictus, have been found to be transmitting yellow fever and dengue viruses.
Adewole said that although the Zika virus was discovered in Western Nigeria in 1954, studies had shown that 40 per cent of Nigerian adults and 25 per cent of Nigerian children had antibodies to attack the virus.
This means that they are protected against the virus.But in spite of the fact that some Nigerians are immuned to the Zika virus infection as demonstrated by studies, it is important and advisable that Nigerians should be careful and protect themselves from mosquito bites.
There is no vaccine for Zika virus and no cure other than taking plenty of rest, plenty of fluids and perhaps over-the-counter medication to reduce fevers, aches and pains.
This, therefore, means that prevention is the most effective means of preventing transmission.’’
The minister also advised Nigerians, particularly pregnant women to avoid travelling to countries currently infected by the virus.
He noted that ``pregnant women considering travel to affected areas may wish to consult their healthcare provider prior to travel and after return.’’
He then stressed the need for personal and household steps to prevent mosquitoes, including the use of mosquito repellant on clothes and skin, wearing of long sleeves and pants, and sleeping under mosquito nets.
He also advised states to embark on health education campaigns to educate communities on what to do to protect themselves from Zika virus, as well as other mosquito-borne diseases.
He added that ``Nigerians returning from countries where the virus are found should report themselves to any nearest health centres as soon as they feel unwell and should inform the healthcare workers about their travel history.’’
The minister said that he had instructed the Port Health Services of the Ministry of Health to immediately adjust and include points of entry screening to capture anti-Zika activities.
The Federal Ministry of Health shall collaborate with the Ministry of Environment to embark on mosquito population reducing campaigns that will include the use of larvicide.
Adewole explained that the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had been directed to enhance Zika virus surveillance activities.
The NCDC had also been directed to work with the Arbovirus Research Centre, Enugu, to embark on extensive vector control and research activities to confirm the current circulation status of both Zika virus and the mosquitoes that spread it, he said.
He emphasised that healthcare workers were to report any illness in pregnant women with symptoms similar to haemorrhagic fever, birth defect, particularly microcephaly to the State Epidemiologists and the NCDC.
The NCDC is to expand the Field Epidemiology Training programme, laboratory testing, healthcare provider training and vector surveillance and control in risk areas for Zika virus transmission, he added.
The minister then directed laboratories currently testing for other haemorrhagic fever viruses to include the test for Zika virus.
He then urged Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant and report any suspected case of acute febrile illness in pregnant women in particular, to nearest health facility as such facilities were also directed to emphasise routine infection, prevention and control measures.
He called on healthcare facilities in the country to give special attention to pregnant women and to offer free treatment to anyone with viral haemorrhagic fever. (NAN)
