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Though there is no evidence to prove this information other than the Health minister’s declaration of Nigeria’s immunity to the virus decades ago, a recent research by independent newspaper proved that a lot of Nigerians have little or no information about Zika virus.
The current Nigerian Health Minister, Prof Isaac Adewole confirmed on February 9, 2016 that Zika-carrying mosquitoes do exist in Nigeria.
Amongst the few citizens who spoke with independent on the Zika virus issue, their first comment when asked about their thought on the existence of mosquito-carrying Zika in Nigeria is by replying with questions like ‘do we have zika mosquitoes here?’ ‘I have no information on that’ or ‘I believe we are immune since we have not heard of any case so far’.
A nurse, who gave her name as Precious, and works with a popular government hospital in Anambara state, was one of the few who strongly believe that the virus does not exist in Nigeria as there has been no recent information after what the health minister said.
Another medical doctor, who works in Enugu, Ikechukwu Obi, explained that even though he has no idea if the virus really exists here in Nigeria, he is joining other health practitioners who have advised Nigerians to take precautionary measures to protect themselves including the use of mosquito nets.
The health minister’s report stated that Nigerian scientists working in Western Nigeria in 1954 discovered Zika virus in Nigeria. Further studies in the years 1975 to 1979 showed that 40 per cent of Nigeria adults and 25 per cent of Nigerian children have antibodies to Zika virus, meaning they are protected against this virus.
This report of immunity to the virus may be the reason most Nigerian have the impression that there is no cause for alarm. While many Nigerians are still ignorant of the virus existence, others who have a little information about the virus are worried why nothing is being said after the health ministers report that mosquitoes carrying the virus exist in Nigeria.
As many Nigerians are still in doubt whether mosquito- carrying the virus exist in our country or not, the Director, Center for Disease Control, federal ministry of health, Dr. Abdusalam Nasidi, is another government personnel who have confirmed that mosquito-carrying Zika virus does exist in Nigeria.
He told independent newspapers that presently, National Arbovirus and Vectors Research Center, Enugu are monitoring the mosquitoes carrying this virus. He said that, so far, they cannot categorically state the level of potency of the virus to that of the one that is spreading in South America but the center is not saving any cost in carrying out their research duties.
Nasidi further explained that other research centers round Nigeria, especially at the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) lab at the university of Ibadan and Lagos, have been working ardently to monitor and find out more about the virus.
Responding to the question on if any case of Zika virus patient has been recorded; he explained that so far, there is no case yet.
“We have research centers round Nigeria and they have been looking into the spread and containing of mosquitoes carrying the virus. Although Nigerians were said to be immune to Zika virus infection in the past, part of our research is to certify if it is still a fact and measures to prevent spread. So far there is no case yet recorded,” he said.
Responding to the question why there are no advertisement campaigns on air yet to alert the public or explain how to intensify their protection against mosquitoes, he said “we are working hard to release our advert campaign very soon. We have planned out our massive campaign and it will hit the public domain soon.”
Though the health minister warned all Nigerians, particularly pregnant women, to avoid traveling to countries infected by this virus in these periods, Most of the doctors who specialize in taking care of pregnant women are concerned that banning pregnant mothers from traveling to affected countries may not be enough to avoid the virus from crossing borders to Africa and Nigeria at large.
A medical practitioner and gynecologist with a private hospital, who gave his name as Dr. Babalola, is one of the health personnel who agreed that any information regarding health should not be taken for granted. He stated that even though many believe that the specie of mosquitoes that carry Zika, Aedes don’t thrive in Nigeria’s kind of weather, this is the time for disease control center in Nigeria and around the federation to be on their toes to be sure that that is a fact.
“It is true that Nigerians are used to mosquito bites and even if mosquito-carrying Zika virus exists in Nigeria or not, by now we should be harassed by continuous advertisement campaigns on how best to rid our environments of mosquitoes. There should be more anti-malaria and mosquito fighting materials dished out to the public to help us protect ourselves. But it seems we are not yet over with the ‘Nigerian factor’ of waiting until an emergency occurs. I am concerned because as a doctor any virus or infection that affects a pregnant mother affects the baby in the womb more.
This is why it is very important that rigorous research on our current situation with the Zika transmitting mosquitoes should be made public or explained to health practitioners. Nigerians should learn how to nip problems at the bud before it grows,” he said.
Also, Doctor Kingsley Idoko, a pediatrician and gynecologist, stated that even if there is no Zika virus scare in Nigeria, mosquito is not supposed to be anyone’s bedmate. “Nigeria already has other health challenges that are affecting us. Malaria is killing Africans more than any other virus. So whether there are Zika virus mosquitoes or not, we still have to protect ourselves from mosquito bites, most especially in this hot weather because mosquitoes strive when the weather is very hot. This is what I can advice the general public,” he said.
The Zika virus is a flavivirus, part of the same family as yellow fever, West Nile and dengue. But unlike some of those viruses, there is no vaccine to prevent Zika and no medicine to treat the infection.
The most effective/important way to avoid the infection is to prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellants and wearing appropriate clothing.
The health minister’s report stated that the only help an infected person can get is rest; take plenty of fluids and perhaps over-the-counter medication to reduce fevers, aches and pains.
It should be recalled that since November 2015 when zika was discovered in south and Central America, there have been more than six deaths from the infection and wild spread of the virus.
Zika virus has been commanding attention because of an alarming connection between the virus and microcephaly, a neurological disorder in which babies are born with abnormally small heads. It causes severe developmental issues and in some cases, death.
There are still investigations going on to find out if Zika virus is the cause of Microcephaly. Babies with microcephaly often have smaller brains that might not have developed properly.
The Independent
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