Residents of K
aduna and the state government have intensified the battle against the spread of the deadly Ebola virus to the state.
Although the outbreak of the virus is yet to be reported in Kaduna and the northern part of the country since it broke out in Lagos, residents who are already aware of the disease are taking precautionary measures to contain its spread.
Nigeria along with Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia are the hardest hit countries by the epidemic, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has called the worst in four decades.
A day after the WHO declared the epidemic an international health emergency, state governments in Nigeria are scrambling to impose measures to prevent contagion of the virus which has claimed over 1,000 lives.
Although many are aware about the deadly disease and its mode of transmission, the ability of people to avoid being infected and adhere to the preventive measures such as avoiding body contacts, crowdy places, proper and regular hand washing and handshake pose a major concern.
In Kaduna, the traditional capital of northern Nigeria, many people are at risk of this global emergency due to the stringent measures involved.
For example, the market located in the state capital, people are transacting their business with ease, not minding being infected.
It is the same story at the motor parks. Passengers travelling from one point to another are also at risk. Many said they don’t have a choice.
While everybody seem to be worried about the scourge, a group of concerned journalists have taken the bull by the horn to sensitise the public about the virus.
Leader of the group, Yusuf Idris, told Channels Television that the move became imperative considering the nature of the virus and how fast it spreads, stating that proper awareness campaign is what is needed at present to contain the spread of the disease.
The state government says it is not resting, as it had designated some public health facilities across the 23 Local Government Areas to serve as containment centres. And also trained medical personnel in case of an outbreak of the disease in the state, while on their part, the management of kaduna refinery also held a sensitisation meeting for its staff and host communities about the virus
The Ebola outbreak has major implications for a large segment of the population, economy, and religion of the entire world as there is no specific period for its transmission from one person to the other.
Beyond the preventive measures being put in place by government and corporate institutions, residents were also taking action.
But despite that, motor parks, markets and places of worship still remain vulnerable in contracting the virus.
The outbreak of Ebola virus in Nigeria has prompted a review of traditional practices of various government and private institutions, religious faiths, and communities. The virus has also stimulated significant research in the academic community into finding possible cure.
And to avoid further spread of the virus, it is expected that people must adhere to all the health tips and warnings by medical experts while massive sensitisation by all stakeholders will go a long way in curbing the spread.
