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COVID-19: NOT ALL SHADES OF
GRAY
The coronavirus typical
of all infectious virus requires a living host to multiply and thrive however
living outside a living host the virus can survive ranging from hours to
days. In the survival and spread techniques of such infectious microorganisms it's seen as they are dependent on human behaviors, habits to ensure their
conquest. Where some host are not hurt by the virus may yet serve as reservoir
for these harmful pathogens.
Over time humans have
been affected by different disease having pathogenic origin of bacteria,
viruses, fungi, helminths and protozoans which could be primary or as a result
of secondary infections, all of which have the capacity of causing ill-health.
The coronavirus have been accused of being the destroyer of worldwide economy, the killer of humans and the narrator of the times as the virus permits.
Enough of all this scientific
facts.
Before the advent of the
novel coronavirus, Africa has had its fair share of diseases most of which are
from water borne and or, sanitation and hygiene deficiency. In the list of
these diseases are respiratory and diarrheal diseases, malaria, dental caries
and periodontal diseases, helminth infection, cholera and typhoid (water borne
and hygiene deficiency), hepatitis, Ebola virus and the infamous Lassa fever.
Nigeria has had her fair
share of endemic diseases such as Lassa fever, malaria, cholera, diarrhea, and
typhoid and now the covid-19 pandemic. These diseases can be prevented and
controlled by maintaining hygiene, sanitation as well as knowledge of the
infectious diseases at the time and now.
photo credit: un.org
The coronavirus even
though had been a though foe yet Nigerians have prevailed and can thrive if we
take time to remember that we have been through the horrors of Ebola virus,
Lassa Fever and even the ghastly malaria parasite. knowing that from understanding these microbial pathogens we overcame these diseases, even now we can.
World health agencies as
well as other local health and humanitarian agencies through the sophistication
of media outfits or channels even though landmine with fake and at times
malicious information are thought to have blown the covid-19 disease spread,
infection and impact out of proportion causing panic at most sphere of live and
livelihood, these many consider a necessary action, albeit, the most effective
way to prevent the spread of the coronavirus are simple.
Comparing tropical
disease common to Africa, it is seen that their prevention and or control revolves
around personal hygiene/sanitation of washing of hands with soap and water,
brushing of teeth twice a day, good sanitation, decongestion of living areas,
social distancing, storing food in rodent-proof containers, disposing garbage
far from living environment.
The novel coronavirus has
led to the needful hygiene revolution and as such may yet prevent other
diseases that can be prevented through hygiene paradigm shift as such the
coronavirus is not all shades of grey. It is important that we take heed to the
hygiene prerequisite for our existence. A list of this hygiene includes; the
basic hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, the use of personal protective
equipment, social distancing and passing this information to someone else. Take
responsibility, protect Nigeria, protect the world.
photo credit: theguardian.com
For
more reading:
Defeating Ebola in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo motivates a community to confront other
diseases with handwashing. https://www.afro.who.int/news/defeating-ebola-democratic-republic-congo-motivates-community-confront-other-diseases
Hygiene behaviour and
health attitudes in African countries. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22227630
Common water and
sanitation-related diseases. https://www.unicef.org/wash/index_wes_related.html
Hepatitis A Overview. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/HepatitisAOverview.htm
Lassa fever. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lassa-fever
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