Encomium
The deadly Ebola disease is finally here. And fear of its infection is rapidly spreading. Here are what Lagosians know about the killer-viral disease and measures they are taking to avoid infection.
‘The government has done pretty well on it’
– TAIWO BAKARE
We must be very sincere with the federal government and state government. They have been pragmatic about this Ebola menace. The Minister of Health took personal attention in addressing the issue.
The Presidency voted funds to address the Ebola issue. The government has done pretty well on it. The Lagos state government specially set up a place in Yaba for the treatment of Ebola, improved in garments for health workers for their safety. Kudos to the government, politics has not been played in the issue of this Ebola.
Federal government should set up a special centre where patients can be taken care of. They don’t have to wait for a major outbreak before they start taking measures. There should be specialised doctors.
‘Sanitizers should be shared to every citizen of the country’
– KUNLE OLAYOMI
Personally, I am not satisfied with what the state and federal government are doing concerning Ebola issue. Left to me, no awareness has been created by the state and federal government. Sanitizers should be shared to every citizen of the country.
Like I said, the government should be able to give out sanitizers, create awareness and if possible, close borders to prevent infected foreigners coming into the country.
‘The citizens should complement government effort by containing the spread’
– BABATUNDE BAMIDELE
I am really impressed about the progress made, especially that of Lagos State. The citizens should complement government effort by containing the spread.
‘We should just be careful what we do and places we visit’
– WALE ARIYO
Very impressed. We must also remember the late doctor who attended to Patrick Sawyerr. She was the one who insisted he should not leave the hospital. Imagine what could have happened if Sawyerr was allowed to mix with people outside.
We should just be careful what we do and places we visit, at least to avoid being infected.
‘FG must be commended’
– KENECHUKWU KANU
I think Nigerian authorities should be congratulated for their efforts to arrest the spread of the deadly Ebola disease.
Our health care delivery system should, however, be overhauled to address the current medical challenge.
‘Thumbs up for FG, Fashola’
– DR KATE MGBEAHURU
I’m happy the Federal Government is on top of the situation. The Lagos state Government under the leadership of Gov Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) is also doing very well in this respect.
It behooves on citizens to be vigilant and very health conscious.
‘They don’t have to relent on their efforts’
– ISAAC ADEGBENJO
I think we need to commend the efforts of the government so far both at the state and federal levels. They are handling the issue with all sense of seriousness. Left to me, I am satisfied. But more can still be done. They don’t have to relent on their efforts.
They should still be more vigilant and do everything necessary to ensure that the virus doesn’t spread beyond the level it is now. People are still scared of it. The Ministry of Health at the federal level should constantly be in touch with the World Health Organization (WHO) for any new development concerning its cure.
‘It’s a battle that must be won with all our resources’
– FISAYO FEYISARA
Left to me, the governments are trying, both at the federal and state levels. At least, I learnt they have discovered anti-Ebola drug. And some of the infected people have been cured. Even, the international community is also trying.
It’s a battle that must be won with all our resources. We shouldn’t take anything for granted. We should not allow it spread at all. Issue of health shouldn’t be politicized. It should be handled very seriously and that is exactly what the governments at all levels are doing. But they can still do more.
‘…Properly monitor our borders to forestall infected migrants’
– GBENGA ISAAC
Yes, very satisfied. I don’t think there is nothing more that they could have done except what they have on ground already. Quarantine centres here and there and information dissemination seriously utilized on all the social media platforms.
What more I think can be done is to properly monitor our borders to forestall infected migrants from entering the country.
‘We need more education and sensitization of the masses about Ebola’
– SANTIAGO ROBERTS
Personally, I believe that the federal government is doing its best. The question is, how best on an average scale is this best. I think Lagos State is definitely doing its best. I would implore the federal government to do more, especially resolve the crisis with the doctors to further avoid the escalation of this dreaded disease.
We need more education and sensitization of the masses about Ebola. At every available opportunity, we should educate to avoid some unscrupulous elements sharing the wrong information such as asking people to bath with salt water and drink salt water.
It is just mean, when people use serious issues as this to further endanger the lives of others.
‘They should educate the citizens to avoid more damage’
– BIMBO OYELADE
I believe the federal government is doing a great job in arresting the situation. They should educate the citizens to avoid more damage to the country. Proper use of sanitizers if possible, each local government should make it their responsibility to share sanitizers or disinfectants in their areas.
‘All our borders should be blocked from all entries’
– ISHOLA BELLO
I’m very satisfied. I don’t think there is something more to be done because the quarantine centres are really doing their duties effectively.
All our borders should be blocked from all entries in order to prevent other people from neighbouring countries who might be infected with this virus into the country.
‘Total eradication is the best’
– IKEOCHA MARTIN
The federal and state governments have made definite effort in addressing Ebola case by way of publicity, creating awareness in helping to curb the spread of the virus. The government should also team up with international community by providing the needed drugs for the total eradication of the virus.
‘…They should close down the borders’
– BISI BANKOLE
Yes, Lagos State in particular is trying to contain the spread of the dreaded disease, I don’t know of other state. Could it be because it has not spread to their place? At the federal level the government should do more. If possible, they should close down the borders or do a thorough screening for the immigrants.
‘Personal hygiene and sanitization are key factors’
– SUMAYAH ADENIKE DHIKRULLAH
The only thing I know is that the preventive measure is to ensure cleanliness such as washing of the hands regularly, cleaning of the environ always, taking proper care of the body at all time. Personal hygiene and sanitization are key factors and informing people about what to do. Let’s people be more prayerful, and let’s all return to our Lord.
From religious point of view, this is as a result of our disobedience to God. We do what He (God) asks us not to do. So, we continue facing the consequences not until we return to Him wholeheartedly.
‘The quarantine should be properly guarded’
KUYE ABDULKABEER
I think the government has made concerted efforts to contain the spread of the disease now. The quarantine should be properly guarded to ensure there isn’t a break.
The government should make efforts to get the drugs to cure those infected.
EBOLA TIMELINE: MARCH AUGUST 2014
West Africa has not been spared since the worst-ever outbreak of the hemorrhagic fever Ebola emerged earlier this year, with deaths reported every day.
The global death toll for the virus has reached 1,230, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Tuesday (August 19), including 466 in Liberia, 394 in Guinea, 365 in Sierra Leone and five in Nigeria.
MARCH
– March 22: Guinea identifies the Ebola virus as the source of a highly contagious epidemic raging through its southern forests, as the death toll rises to 59. Scientists studying samples in the French city of Lyon confirm it is Ebola. On the 27th it spreads to Guinea’s capital Conakry.
– March 31: Liberia confirms two cases of the virus.
APRIL
– April 5: West African countries mobilize. Medical teams are deployed at Conakry airport.
– April 8: The WHO says the outbreak is among the “most challenging” for health workers since the deadly disease first emerged four decades ago in Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo.
MAY
– May 26: Sierra Leone confirms its first fatality.
JUNE
– June 21: The WHO says the rapid spread of Ebola in the countries concerned has occurred in part because containment efforts have been too relaxed.
JULY
– July 3: The WHO says it expects the Ebola outbreak to continue for at least “several months”.
– July 25: The virus spreads to Africa’s most populous country Nigeria, as a Liberian national dies in quarantine in Lagos. The country places its ports and airports on alert.
– July 30: Doctors Without Borders warns that Ebola is out of control and there is a risk of it spreading to other countries.
Liberia announces it is shutting all schools.
AUGUST
– August 1: Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone announce a cross-border isolation zone around the epicentre of the outbreak.
– August 5: The World Bank earmarks up to $200 million (150 million euros) to help contain Ebola.
– August 8: The WHO declares the Ebola epidemic a “public health emergency of international concern”.
Nigeria follows Liberia and Sierra Leone in declaring a national emergency.
– August 12: The WHO authorises the use of experimental drugs in the fight against Ebola, after an ethical debate.
– August 13: Liberia receives doses of an experimental Ebola vaccine ZMapp, which has shown positive early results.
Guinea declares a “health emergency”, announcing a series of nine measures including strict controls at border points, travel restrictions and a ban on moving bodies.
– August 15: The WHO says the magnitude of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa has been “vastly” underestimated. Medical charity MSF says the outbreak is moving faster than medics can handle.
The UN’s World Food Programme says it will fly in food aid for up to one million people affected by Ebola.
– August 18: Cameroon, which has so far been spared Ebola cases, closes all its land, sea and air borders with Nigeria.
-August 19: Liberia says it has found 17 Ebola patients who had fled an attack on their clinic and says eight medical workers including two doctors who have been given experimental US-made drug ZMapp are responding to the treatment.
-August 19: Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, consultant with First Consultant Hospital, Lagos who treated the Liberian Patrick Sawyerr dies in the afternoon.
– August 21: American doctor Dr. Kent Brantly infected with virus while working in Liberia discharged from hospital after recovering.
