Ebola has a great potential of driving appropriate responses - Lawal

HealthNewsNG.com spoke to Lawal Kola Bakare, Convener of Ebola Alert, on the prevention and control strategies for the disease in Nigeria. He also spoke on at local and regional levels to curb the spread of the disease

What are peculiar exposure risks for Lagos residents?

I'd like to classify it given your use of Lagos residents as priority audience. There is the proximity to West African coastal communities. Lagos is a commercial hub and people want to visit.While countries where the case has been found have put in place precautions and ECOWAS is doing some work.

Lagosians and other border communities in Nigeria, and cities with international airport have to be on the lookout for persons penetrating our borders.

I am sure government in aware of this and I am aware they are taking very concrete steps, especially from West African Coastal Countries.

Are you confident in Nigeria's ability to prevent an outbreak? 

Given the quality of human capital. If we allow the desired outcome to drive performance and we commit resources appropriately I am absolutely sure. My fear is with interests. But the peculiarity of Ebola has a great potential of driving appropriate responses. I am very very hopeful. At individual/home and community levels.

In specific terms, what should be done?

First we need to adhere to very good hand washing/hand hygiene practices. Then we need to listen to what government and health authority are saying. People are working around the globe to ensure safety of lives and properties, we should trust them.

Then we need to be conscious of the symptoms and exposure. and the meaning of these.

Symptoms are what you feel as an individual. For Ebola we are talking about: Fever, Body Pain, Headaches. There can also be diarrhea and vomiting. When you start feeling these, people should isolate themselves at home and call appropriate health institution for help.

The Lagos State Helplines have been published. Then community need not stigmatize suspects. We should not apply undue denial. And we should be conscious of our practices. We do not want undue panics.

Ebola can be prevented and there are disinfection techniques that can clean contaminated places up.

What of the borders? Is it too late already? 

We just need to trust the system. Listen to the news for government messages and I think it's not too late. ECOWAS is working on this already. I am sure our government is scaling up on border controls. This might have trade implications, but am sure the inter-agency and intergovernmental protocols will help.