Steps to keeping your water dispenser clean

WATER DISPENSER

How many of us clean our water dispensers regularly? Did you know that your water dispensers are to be cleaned every 3-6 months? This will make our water cleaner and will keep us from having any infection contracted from drinking unclean water.
The reservoir of the water dispenser can become slimy if not cleaned regularly and this could be a nidus for bacterial growth.
Water dispensers are found in banks, offices, homes etc. Do you think they clean the water dispensers regularly? When most of us come down with water borne diseases, we begin to question the diagnosis. You hear things like ' I use only bottled water  ' or  'I don't drink sachet water'. The question is 'HOW OFTEN DO YOU CLEAN YOUR WATER DISPENSER'.

 YOU WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING TO CLEAN YOUR WATER DISPENSER 

• A pair of clean rubber gloves
• Clean brush or soft cloth
• Cleaning pad 
• Hot water

TAKE THE FOLLOWING EASY STEPS IN CLEANING YOUR WATER DISPENSER:

• Unplug the dispenser from the power source

• Remove the water bottle. Always do this when the water in the bottle is finished i.e when you want to put a new water bottle in the dispenser
• Drain water from the water dispenser
• Remove the top of the dispenser

NO SPILL ADAPTER

• I prefer to use hot water only for the cleaning but some people use bleach, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar in a volume of water to get the actual concentration to be used for cleaning.
• Pour the hot water in the reservoir after removing the no spill adapter and baffle

RESERVOIR UNIT

• Allow the hot water to sit for about 5 mins. Wear the gloves and use the soft pad or brush to wipe the inside of the unit.Drain the water through the spigots and repeat the process about 2 times.
• Wash the no spill adapter, baffle and the drip tray in a warm soapy water and allow to dry.

DRIP TRAY

• Clean the top of the dispenser and the back to remove dust and also around the spigots.
• Replace the baffle and the no spill adapter .

BAFFLE

• Replace a new water bottle on the dispenser
• Plug the dispenser and it is ready to be used again.

The drip tray should be washed every 2 weeks or monthly. Before buying any water dispenser, be sure that it can be removed easily when you want to clean it .

Stay healthy guys. Always drink uncontaminated water to avoid having water borne diseases. Feel free to ask any question.

Thanks for visiting.

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Panic in Ogun state as first Lassa fever victim dies

The Ogun State Commissioner of Health, Babatunde Ipaye, disclosed this at a press conference in Abeokuta. He said the government did its best to save the victim, who died on Sunday, and has contacted the deceased family for approval to bury the victim based on WHO protocol.

Mr. Ipaye said the 28-year-old victim was admitted into the isolation unit of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, which was specifically equipped, staffed and funded by the state government to manage confirmed cases of Lassa fever.

“The patient received a nine-day course of Ribavirin, potent antibiotics, appropriate blood transfusions and necessary psychosocial support.

“We were only waiting to celebrate the completion of medication today and take a blood sample to confirm cure when unexpected complication set in yesterday, Saturday the 13th February, 2016,” she said.

Mr. Ipaye advised Ogun residents not to panic because of the death. He said none of the 121 primary contacts with the deceased have shown any signs of the deadly fever.

“The first 10 days of active surveillance on these contacts have been free of any suspected case and we hope to keep daily communication and visits with these contact in the next 11 days to make up the longest incubation period of 21 days,” he said.

The commissioner said the second person diagnosed with lassa fever in the state was still under care. He said the 12 weeks pregnant victim had recovered from initial fatigue, body weakness and depression.

“Like the first case, she also travelled into Abeokuta from Kogi State. As a responsible government we have taken full responsibility for her care and she has been on medication with ribavirin for three days now.

“We have been in contact with her family members and presently have mounted active surveillance on the 60 primary contacts of this patient,” he said.

The commissioner implored care providers to alert the Department of Public Health of the State Ministry of Health or the Local Government Area Health Departments closest to them of any suspected case.

Source ; Premium Times

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Happy Valentine's day.

Love and Hugs on Valentines's day.
Do have a Happy Valentine's day Celebration.
Remember to stay healthy guys.

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My husband beats me with planks, wires, threatens to kill me

A 27-year-old mother of one, Flora Okwuosa, has lamented the ill-treatment and constant battery she receives from her husband, one Chris Obiekezie.

DAILY POST gathered that Flora who hails from Orisite Local Government Area, LGA, of Anambra state and married to Chris of Awkuzu LGA of the same state, worked with Nigerian Brewery Company and subsequently with Central Business Unit, Abuja, before her marriage to her husband on 21 August, 2014.

Chris, a factory worker, had however, asked her to resign from her job after marriage, saying he would cater for her and that she had no need to work.

According to Flora, her husband of less than 2 years has already turned her to a punching bag.

In a chat with DAILY POST, the battered mother of one who is resident at Agbara, along Badagry Expressway, Ogun state, said the last straw that broke the camel’s back was when she asked her 32-year-old husband for baby diapers.

Flora who recently lost her both parents to an undisclosed cause, further lamented that her husband, an electrical engineer had changed within such a short time.

Narrating her ordeal, she said, “On Tuesday, we took our one-month-old baby to the hospital and we were given a list of prescribed drugs to buy for her. I wanted us to get the medicines on the same day but my husband and his mother said we will do so when we get home, later in the evening. We ended up not getting the medicines.

“On Wednesday, my husband went out to see his brother and as he was staying out too long, I called to remind him that we needed those drugs unfailingly. He said he would be back in an hour and we would go to the pharmacy. I kept waiting for hours, yet he didn’t show up. So I asked a neighbour to hold my baby while I drove to the pharmacy to get the medicines myself.

“He returned home much later in the evening and like husband and wife, I called him to talk to him. First, I asked him why he showed less concern about anything that had to do with our baby. He didn’t give me any chance to speak further, he flared up and pounced on me, but I kept my cool.

“On Thursday, he was about to go out when I asked him for money to buy diapers for the baby. He said he had just N1,000 which he threw at me. I told him the money was not enough for diapers, which he knew. He asked me to use my money to buy the diapers, while he said that, he collected the money.

“I took the car key so I could go get the diapers myself, with my money. I was going to leave the baby behind with him because she is only a month old and not fit to go out.

“He asked me to give him the key which I refused because I had to drive to the supermarket. I am still not so strong after child delivery,” she added.

“I need help, I have taken so many tablets of paracetamol because I can’t take anything stronger because am breastfeeding.”

Flora said following her refusal to hand the car keys over to her husband, he grabbed her and strangled her with his bare hands and then with a wire which he also used to lash her severally.

“I was almost losing my breath, so I dropped the keys and ran out of the house. He followed me out and picked up some planks to hit me. I ran back into the house to carry my baby who was already crying, he followed me still.

“Again, I found my way out and he continued pouncing on me while I held our baby. He slapped me endlessly, beat my head, hand with planks and didn’t care if our baby would be hurt in the process. At that point, a passerby, a woman, came to my rescue and begged my husband to let me be.

This morning (Friday), he threatened to kill me and that nothing will happen. He reminded me that I was an orphan and if I die, nobody will look for me. He said he will kill me and take the property we both laboured for and nothing will happen. He says my people are preaching “no divorce, no work it out.

“I have sacrificed my good paying job, my life savings, my life and family on the altar of this sham called marriage.

“I want to be out because the attempts to strangle me even with wire, pushing me down when I was pregnant and beating me regularly may just take my life one day,” she told DAILY POST.

“If I die any time soon,my husband, Chris killed me.

“I am still in his house and I don’t have anywhere to go. Besides, my people are in the East and I can’t travel with a month old baby,” Flora sobbed.

“I want to start life afresh, I may have resigned from my job and I know my colleagues will say we warned you, but I can’t die in silence.”

She, however, called on good-hearted Nigerians to come to her rescue and give her a free legal divorce service.

Source; Daily Post

This is what we see in our society every day. Neighbours bring them to the ER ( Emergency room) and when you take your history this is what you find . Some come in unconscious , lacerations on the body , stab wounds etc. 

This is violence against women. I wrote a post on VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN read HERE

Is very important we put legislations that protect women from violence. Another important factor is women empowerment.

Always seek help when in such situations. 

Thanks for visiting.

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Tips to stay safe this Valentine season

The Valentine season is here again!!! This is the season we share love and spend quality time with our loved ones, exchange gifts ,visit the orphanage, visit the sick in the hospitals, the destitute in the society, the prisoners in the prisons etc

Valentine means different things to different people. This period is really an exciting period for young people who think it is the best time to have sexual relationship with their partners. 

As we celebrate Valentine with our lovers, friends etc I just want to remind us of the ABC ways of preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STIs( Sexually transmitted infections). They are as follows;

A - Abstinence
 B - Be Faithful
 C - Use of condoms

A and B ways of preventing spread of HIV/AIDs are self explanatory.I will talk about the C-Condoms.  Am sure most of us know what condoms are and what they are used for. Condoms are actually latex tubing worn over the penis by either the male or in vagina by the female partner during sexual intercourse for the purpose of preventing pregnancy or protecting against sexually transmitted infections. I will concentrate on male condoms in this post. 

To reduce spread of HIV/AIDS, STIs like Genital  Herpes, Gonorrhea, Syphilis,Hepatitis B and C, Human Papilloma Virus(HPV) etc , Unwanted pregnancy, the use of condom is always advocated for in other to have a safer sex.

There are varieties of condoms in the market. Always bear in mind the following  when buying one;

• Lubricants; Always buy condoms with luburicant, this will reduce the friction between you and your partner, thereby reducing the risks of having a burst condom during intercourse.
• Size; Condoms come in different  sizes. Men have different sizes of penis so always try and get the one that fits you well. They come in ultra, max,and slim fit sizes. This also prevents accidents of condoms slipping off the phallus during coitus(sex).
• Texture; Always go for the right feel. It makes you comfortable whenever you wear it and you also have maximum satisfaction with your partner. Some condoms are also too thin, this type of condom can burst as well during intercourse. Use the right texture to prevent transmission of infection and unwanted pregnancy.
• Allergic reactions; Always look out for condoms with hypoallergenic content.Some people can react with the lubricants or the latex as well.
• Reservoir tip ; Look out for condoms with reservoir tip. This is were the semen collect after ejaculation (release)
• Affordable; Go for condoms that you can afford any time any day but still with the right quality.
• Colour, Smell ; Just like they say 'Variety is the spice of life'. You can try different colours and flavours just to spice up your love life with your partner.

Below is a model of a phallus showing how to wear a condom. We need to know how to wear the condom well in other to avoid burst condoms or condoms slipping off the phallus during intercourse. We teach our clients and patients when they visit the HIV clinic or the family planing clinic how to wear the condom.

A model of the phallus.

Lets assume this is an erect penis of a dark skinned man . lol 

Open the condom and look at the edge to know the right direction so that when it is placed on the penis it rolls down easily with the aid of your fingers wrapped round it.

If you look closely you will see the reservoir tip I talked about earlier. When sliding down the condom down the erect penis don't slip it all in, leave the reservoir tip for the semen to collect in it. Do it gently by holding the tip while rolling down the rest of the condom down to the base of the penis.

Of course you go to the convenience to remove the used condom after the intercourse.

Please read HERE in cases of burst condoms 

I hope you understood the process of wearing the condom using the model. Stay safe guys. Please do feel free to ask questions in the comment section. 

Do have a wonderful Valentine and loads of fun with your loved ones.

Thanks for visiting.

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The man that loved me is not the same man that I Iive with now

The next patient that entered the consulting room was a light skinned, tall woman, well dressed but didn't look happy. She just managed to give me a smile as she sat down .
I had the following conversations with 3 patients;

PATIENT 1

Doctor ; Good day ma, how are you?
Patient 1; Am not fine doc
Doctor ; What happened?
Patient 1: Doctor what can be done about my face my husband hit my head on the wall after our discussion resulted into a fight.I want everything written in that folder. I will surely take up the matter. My whole body aches. I can't even lift this hand. He was just punching me like a sack of rice.
Doctor ; Sorry ma, I will prescribe some analgesics for you.
Patient; I am light skinned and I will need some thing to take away the black eye.

PATIENT  2

Nurse ; Doctor there is an emergency. A patient is bleeding from a laceration on the face.
Doctor ; Madame what happened?
Patient; Is it not my husband, he hit my head against the wall  in the bathroom.
Doctor; Where is he?
Patient; He didnt come,it was my neighbour that brought me here.
Doctor; Ok, just be calm while I suture the cut, is quite deep.
Patient;I feel much better now. The pain was so much . That man is very heartless. My daughter ran to him and told him that mum was bleeding from the face and lying on the floor. He never came to help me.
Doctor ; Really sorry for what happened. Take your drugs as prescribed. You will be fine.

PATIENT 3

Patient; Please I need help.
Doctor; What happened ma?
Patient ; My husband beat me. Look at my mouth is swollen , my back aches.
Doctor; What happened? Lie down on the couch so that I can examine you. I will give you some analgesics.
Patient; It all started during the last Christmas season.We were ...............

And the story goes on and on. All the above patients suffered from violence against women. I had to counsel all 3 patients and also show empathy. Surprisingly , all 3 women were well educated and I just couldn't figure out were they went wrong.

According to WHO;

• Violence against women - particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence - are major public health problems and violations of women's human rights.
• Recent global prevalence figures indicate that about 1 in 3 (35%) of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.
• Most of this violence is intimate partner violence. Worldwide, almost one third (30%) of women who have been in a relationship report that they have experienced some form of physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner.
• Globally, as many as 38% of murders of women are committed by an intimate partner.
• Violence can negatively affect women’s physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health, and may increase vulnerability to HIV.

• Factors associated with increased risk of perpetration of violence include low education, child maltreatment or exposure to violence in the family, harmful use of alcohol, attitudes accepting of violence and gender inequality.
• Factors associated with increased risk of experiencing intimate partner and sexual violence include low education, exposure to violence between parents, abuse during childhood, attitudes accepting violence and gender inequality.
• There is evidence from high-income settings that school-based programmes may be effective in preventing relationship violence (or dating violence) among young people.
• In low-income settings, primary prevention strategies, such as microfinance combined with gender equality training and community-based initiatives that address gender inequality and relationship skills, hold promise.
• Situations of conflict, post conflict and displacement may exacerbate existing violence, such as by intimate partners, and present additional forms of violence against women.

The United Nations defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life."

Factors specifically associated with intimate partner violence include:

• past history of violence;
• marital discord and dissatisfaction;
• difficulties in communicating between partners.

All these have health consequences like; Homicide or suicide, injuries, unintended pregnancies, depression, post traumatic stress disorder,emotional stress , negative impact on the children etc

Legislations that protect women , empowers women and promotes gender equality should be put in place.
If there is a crack or friction in your marriage always seek a marriage counsellor early before it deteriorates.

Remember that problem shared is problem half solved. Please do share your experiences with us.
Thanks for visiting.  

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International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, 6 February

Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women.

It reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes, and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women and girls. The practice also violates their rights to health, security and physical integrity, their right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and their right to life when the procedure results in death.

To promote the abandonment of FGM, coordinated and systematic efforts are needed, and they must engage whole communities and focus on human rights and gender equality. These efforts should emphasize societal dialogue and the empowerment of communities to act collectively to end the practice. They must also address the sexual and reproductive health needs of women and girls who suffer from its consequences.

UNFPA, jointly with UNICEF, leads the largest global programme to accelerate the abandonment of FGM. The programme currently focuses on 17 African countries and also supports regional and global initiatives.

Theme 2016 "Achieving the new Global Goals through the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation by 2030."

The 17 goals – known as the Sustainable Development Goals, or simply the Global Goals – aim to transform the world over the next 15 years. They build on the success of the Millennium Development Goals, global objectives adopted in 2000 that have helped to improve the lives of millions of people around the world.

UNFPA is working with governments, partners and other UN agencies to directly tackle many of these goals – in particular Goal 3 on health, Goal 4 on education and Goal 5 on gender equality – and contributes in a variety of ways to achieving many of the rest.

Key Facts:

• Globally, it is estimated that at least 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone some form of FGM.
• If current trends continue, 15 million additional girls between ages 15 and 19 be subjected to it by 2030.
• Girls 14 and younger represent 44 million of those who have been cut, with the highest prevalence of FGM among this age in Gambia at 56 per cent, Mauritania 54 per cent and Indonesia where around half of girls aged 11 and younger have undergone the practice.
• Countries with the highest prevalence among girls and women aged 15 to 49 are Somalia 98 per cent, Guinea 97 per cent and Djibouti 93 per cent.
• FGM is mostly carried out on young girls sometime between infancy and age 15.
• FGM cause severe bleeding and health issues including cysts, infections, infertility as well as complications in childbirth increased risk of newborn deaths.

• FGM is a violation of the human rights of girls and women.

Source; UN

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Lassa fever: Nigeria records 101 deaths as disease hits 19 states

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) statistics showed that reported cases of the hemorrhagic disease, confirmed and suspected, stood at 175 with a total of 101 deaths since August.

The agency in a statement yesterday said, “As at today, 19 (including Abuja) states are currently following up contacts or have suspected cases with laboratory results pending or laboratory confirmed cases.”

Deaths were recorded in Abuja, Lagos and 14 other states.

Assuring that the virus had been brought under control, officials have, however, distributed large quantities of drugs, including Ribavirin tablets and bottles of hand sanitizers across the country to tackle the disease.

NCDC said its challenge are logistics support and delayed reporting of cases by states.

The outbreak was only announced in January — months after the first case occurred in August — with subsequent deaths reported in 10 states, including Abuja.

Last year, 12 people died in Nigeria out of 375 infected while in 2012 there were 1,723 cases and 112 deaths, according to the NCDC.

The disease belongs to the same family as Marburg and Ebola, two deadly viruses that lead to infections with fever, vomiting and, in worse case scenarios, hemorrhagic bleeding.

Its name is from the town of Lassa in Borno State where it was first identified in 1969.

Endemic to the region, Lassa fever is asymptomatic in 80 percent of cases but for others it can cause internal bleeding, especially when diagnosed late.

The virus is spread through contact with food or household items contaminated with rats’ urine or faeces or after coming in direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.

Source; Daily Post

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Tips for asthmatics when in an unfriendly environment

Dust mask

I have seen cases of known asthmatics dying in the market, dusty areas etc because of the allergens that they inhaled in the environment.
We always teach known asthmatics about the triggers of  asthma, preventions etc. Patient education is very important for any type of disease. It helps the patient understand the nature of the disease, the causes, its complications, prognosis etc.
Asthma is basically a chronic airway disease that involves airway inflammation, intermittent airflow obstruction leading to breathing difficulties like cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness etc

These are the tips that can help you

• Use dust mask when in dusty places like the market where they grind cereals,pepper, legumes  that releases dust in the air.The dust mask covers the nose and the mouth there by keeping dust from being inhaled. Buy them and keep in your car, at home and your bag as well.
• Always have your inhaler handy when you are going to be in such an unfriendly environment
• Avoid staying close to people that spoke in clubs, gardens etc
• Do not stay close to areas where fumes are released either from a generator or smoke from barbeque or burning woods. 
•  Do not stay in very cold areas where you can not control the temperature  especially in public places like the lobby, office etc . Do not sit directly opposite the air conditioners .
• Use dust mask if you work with woods that releases dust in air when sawing it .Painters, poultry farm workers, or any occupation  that may increase the triggers  should also wear dust mask or paint mask when at work.
• Always wind up when driving past a dusty road.
• Cover up your self if you are going to be out in the cold during work, prayers,or any religious activities that will make stay outside in the cold for a long time.

In all the above situations always have your inhaler handy in case you notice any symptoms and always visit the hospital in cases that can't be controlled using the inhaler.
Patients keep saying I know what caused it . You see , we went for this church programme that we had to stay outside praying for days and I forgot to go with my drugs.
When you are going to travel or be in such situations always go with your medications.
Stay healthy guys and thanks for visiting

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Beware of neighbours who claim to be doctors

Just like any other night , patients kept coming to A and E( Accident and Emergency) for medical attention. Few minutes after, this man rushed in with a baby all covered in a shawl. He kept on shouting is this the children's unit? Where is the doctor? He was accompanied by the mother of the child and some other people.
Here is the rest of  the conversation;
Mr M; Please where is the doctor?
Doctor; What happened to the child? Uncover the child lets see and as well take him to the EPU( Emergency paediatric unit.
Mother; Abeg help me, my baby please don't do this to me
Doctor; Follow me to the EPU. This child is not breathing what happened?  Oga who are you?
Mr M; I am their neighbour but I work in a hospital.
Doctor; As what in the hospital?
Mr M ; I work in the paediatric unit .
Doctor; As what oga? You still haven't answered my question.
Mother; My baby, my baby ( crying at the same time)
Doctor; This child is already dead. Madam why didn't you bring this child to the hospital when he was sick. You had this baby about 7 months ago in our hospital and there was no problem. You decided to be doing home remedies. See what it resulted to.

After series of questions I asked the man that brought the child to the hospital with the mother and other relatives, it was obvious that the man was no medical personnel. He was just an attendant in the hospital where he claims he works in.
These people just tell their unsuspecting neighbours that they are doctors or nurses in the hospital they work in. Of course his neighbours are going to believe him either because he wears white attire to work every day or he just has some medical kits for tests and all that.
It ranges from buying stethoscope, diagnostic kit, first aid box  etc to keep at home just to convince their neighbours. They just learn names of drugs and what they are used for. And then try it on neighbours that patronize them.

Two patients' relatives approached me sometime ago and asked me to teach them doctor's work. lol
I was like are you guys really serious. They answered yes. I told them they have to go through the proper training to become doctors.
That child could have been saved if the mother brought the baby to the hospital on time. Any thing could have killed that child ranging from drug overdose, wrong route of administration of drug, drug-drug reaction etc
please stop falling victim to these people, stop patronizing your neighbours that wear white to work everyday,if the person is not a certified medical doctor please, please, please always bring  your child to the hospital whenever they are sick. They just make you waste more money,time and can even leave in pains. I see a lot of such cases at the hospital on a daily basis.
A word is enough for the wise. Stay healthy guys. Thanks for visiting

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WHO announces a Public Health Emergency of International Concern

The WHO Secretariat briefed the Committee on the clusters of microcephaly and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) that have been temporally associated with Zika virus transmission in some settings. The Committee was provided with additional data on the current understanding of the history of Zika virus, its spread, clinical presentation and epidemiology.

The following States Parties provided information on a potential association between microcephaly and other neurological disorders with Zika virus: Brazil, France, United States of America, and El Salvador.

The Committee advised that the recent cluster of microcephaly cases and other neurological disorders reported in Brazil, following a similar cluster in French Polynesia in 2014, constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

The Committee provided the following advice to the Director-General for her consideration to address the PHEIC (clusters of microcephaly and other neurological disorders) and their possible association with Zika virus, in accordance with IHR (2005).

• Microcephaly and other neurological disorders

1. Surveillance for microcephaly and GBS should be standardized and enhanced, particularly in areas of known Zika virus transmission and areas at risk of such transmission.
2. Research into the etiology of new clusters of microcephaly and other neurological disorders should be intensified to determine whether there is a causative link to Zika virus and/or other factors or co-factors.

As these clusters have occurred in areas newly infected with Zika virus, and in keeping with good public health practice and the absence of another explanation for these clusters, the Committee highlights the importance of aggressive measures to reduce infection with Zika virus, particularly among pregnant women and women of childbearing age.

As a precautionary measure, the Committee made the following additional recommendations:

Zika virus transmission

1. Surveillance for Zika virus infection should be enhanced, with the dissemination of standard case definitions and diagnostics to at-risk areas.

•  2.The development of new diagnostics for Zika virus infection should be prioritized to facilitate      surveillance and control measures.
• 3.Risk communications should be enhanced in countries with Zika virus transmission to address population concerns, enhance community engagement, improve reporting, and ensure application of vector control and personal protective measures.
• 4.Vector control measures and appropriate personal protective measures should be aggressively promoted and implemented to reduce the risk of exposure to Zika virus.
• 5.Attention should be given to ensuring women of childbearing age and particularly pregnant women have the necessary information and materials to reduce risk of exposure.
• 6.Pregnant women who have been exposed to Zika virus should be counselled and followed for birth outcomes based on the best available information and national practice and policies.

• Longer-term measures

  • 1.Appropriate research and development efforts should be intensified for Zika virus vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.
  • 2.In areas of known Zika virus transmission health services should be prepared for potential increases in neurological syndromes and/or congenital malformations.

  Travel measures

  • 1.There should be no restrictions on travel or trade with countries, areas and/or territories with Zika virus transmission.
  • 2.Travellers to areas with Zika virus transmission should be provided with up to date advice on potential risks and appropriate measures to reduce the possibility of exposure to mosquito bites.
  • 3.Standard WHO recommendations regarding disinsection of aircraft and airports should be implemented.

  Data sharing

  • 1.National authorities should ensure the rapid and timely reporting and sharing of information of public health importance relevant to this PHEIC.
  • 2.Clinical, virologic and epidemiologic data related to the increased rates of microcephaly and/or GBS, and Zika virus transmission, should be rapidly shared with WHO to facilitate international understanding of the these events, to guide international support for control efforts, and to prioritize further research and product development.
  
  
  Based on this advice the Director-General declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 1 February 2016. The Director-General endorsed the Committee’s advice and issued them as Temporary Recommendations under IHR (2005). The Director-General thanked the Committee Members and Advisors for their advice.
  Source; WHO
  
  

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Lassa Fever kills doctor in Nasarawa

A Medical personnel in Dalhatu Specialist Hospital (DASH) Lafia, has been confirmed dead after treating a patient with Lassa Fever in the only specialist hospital owned by the state.

The death of the medical doctor, Ibrahim Oshafu bring the toll to two while scores are hospitalized, mostly in Lafia,

Oshafu was among the members of the rescue team in DASH, He has since been buried according to Islamic injunction.

Consequently medical personnel from DASH Lafia have decided to join the ongoing strike action leaving the state grounded.

Dr. Edego Egba ,the chairman medical Advisory committee of the hospital confirmed this to selected Journalists.

hMeanwhile governor Umaru Tanko Almakura on Friday jet out of the country to Saudi Arabia while the state remained grounded by industrial action embarked upon by labour over non payment of salaries, half payment of salaries to local government workers and non payment of staff benefits.

Source; Vanguardngr

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