A bstinence from contagious body fluids and personal hygiene are key to the prevention of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof Isaac Adewole, has said.
He spoke yesterday at the first Town Hall meeting organised by the university’s EVD Prevention and Preparedness Committee.
The committee members are: Dr Matthew Oyeyemi, dean, Department of Veterinary Medicine; Prof Ademola Ajuwon, dean, Public Health; Prof Daniel Oluwayelu, Director, Microbiology and Parasitology; Dr Jesse Otegbayo and Dr David Olaleye, a virologist who also serves as the chairman of the committee and the leading speaker.
The vice chancellor said the committee was put together as the university’s response to the viral disease.
Prof Adewole said: “The committee is to prevent the spread of Ebola into the community and strengthen the preparedness of the community.
“The purpose of this meeting is to tell the university that we have a disease that is not curable. We have no vaccines to prevent this disease but it is very preventable. My advice is that we should not fraternise with people who are very ill, although not all fevers are symptoms of Ebola.”
The expert said the university would produce sanitisers and distribute them to the students and other members of the community as examinations draw close.
Dr David Olaleye stressed the need for all to be conscious of personal hygiene.
The don urged the people to wash their hands regularly and use hand sanitisers and disinfectants.
He said early detection was crucial in the Ebola treatment, adding: “The cases of those who have died could not be managed because they were not detected early enough. Denial, panic and fear are among the challenges of Ebola management across the world.
“Prevention is better than cure. So, we have to prevent ourselves through personal hygiene. The Ebola Virus Disease can survive on contaminated surfaces for up to six or seven days.”
A panel set up for the interactive session, was anchored by Prof Francis Egbokhare.
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