WHAT IS EBOLA? The Ebola virus causes Ebola Virus disease (EVD) in humans

1. ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICER/SCIENTIFIC OFFICERS IN THE PREVENTION OF EBOLA VIRUS OUTBREAK By Barr. J. G. Ogun(LLM,LLB,BL HNDEnv. Health)

2. ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL/SCIENTIFIC OFFICERS IN THE PREVENTION, CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE OUTBREAK IN LAGOS STATE WHAT IS EBOLA? The Ebola virus causes Ebola Virus disease (EVD) in humans According to WHO, the disease has a case fatality rate of up to 90%, this means about 90% of individuals that suffer from the disease could die. HISTORY Ebola virus was first isolated in 1976 during outbreak of Ebola Hemorrhage fever in Zaire, now Democratic Republic of Congo and the Sudan. The disease is named after a River Ebola in DRC. Since then the disease had spread to Virginia State in USA, from the Philippines OUTBREAK OF EBOLA IN AFRICA In July, 2012 case of Ebola Virus Disease was reported by the Health Ministry in Ugandan. In 2014 according to WHO Ebola virus case was reported in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Mali. In 2014 alone death toll increase to 826 people out of 1440 cases reported Recently the disease was said to be introduced to Nigeria (precisely) Lagos by a diplomat from Liberia named Patrick Sawyer and since then it has become a great concern to the state and the Federal Government.

3. TRANSMISSION Ebola virus is being introduce into human population through Close contact with the blood secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected person or animals. Through handling of infected Chimpanzees, Gorillas, Fruit bats, Monkeys, Forest Antelope and in rainforest. In direct contact with environments contaminated with such fluids Burial ceremonies in which mourners have direct contact with the body of the diseased person and the person can still transmit the virus through their semen for up to 7 weeks after recovery from illness. SIGNS AND SYMTOMS EVD is characterized by sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash unpaired kidney and liver function. Internal and external bleeding, Low white blood cell and platelet counts. Incubation period, that is the time interval from infection to the onset of symptom is 2 to 21 days.

4. ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS/SCIENTIFIC OFFICER IN THE PREVENTION CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF EVD IN LAGOS STATE/LG TO THE POPULACE (LG & LCDA) Where effective treatment and a human vaccine is not readily available, then raising awareness of the risk factors for EVD infection and death through educational public health messages for risk reduction is highly germane. The role of Environmental Health officers/ scientific officers in the Ministry and the LGAS/LCDAS is targeted at enhancing public awareness through the Community Development committees, Community Development Associations, Landlord Associations, Market Associations, the Artisans, Schools , Religious Organisationsetc. At the Local Government level, EHOS are expected to liaise with the formal and non-informal sector mentioned above in their localities forming them into committees to propagate the best sanitation practices among the populace and which includes the following activities:

5. Reducing the risk of human-to-human transmission in the community arising from direct or close contact with infected patients. • Glove and appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn when taking care of ill patient at home. • Regular hand washing is required after visiting patients in hospital as well after taking care of patients at home. • Wide publicity about the presence of the EVD in the community among the population is essential through the Traditional heads and Religious leaders. • People that died of Ebola should be cremated including their beddings, clothes, wears etc and the ashes remaining should be safely buried.

6. vi Cases of wildlife-to-human transmission should be reduced through banishing contact with infected Fruit bats or monkeys/apes and consumption of their raw meat.Vii Thorough cooking of animal and bird before consumptionviii Consumption of raw milk should be discouraged ix Vetenary should put on protective wear when handling sick animals. x. Regular cleaning of our surroundings, the drainage system , the rear and sides of our premises.Xi. Isolation camps should be provided in each of the L.G and 37 LCDAS to keep suspected EVD carriers or those in contact with an (EVD) patient for at least 21 days incubation period until certified to be free from EVD.Xii. Disinfection and deratizationof houses and premises where fruit bats are detected.Xiii. Cutting down of tall bush tree where fruit bats abode. Xiv. Proper washing of all fruits and vegetable before consumption.

7. Xv. People should avoid staying in overcrowded places, markets, houses, garages,& vehicles to avoid contacting EVD from close contact with infected persons during incubation period. Xvi. Public should avoid keeping monkeys, donkeys, gorillas, fruit bats etc. xvii. Proper and sanitary refuse disposal in our houses and streets. Xvii Provision of adequate and sanitary conveniences in our houses , motor parks, markets, hospitals. xviii. Environmental education of the citizenry, the landlord Association, school children, market men/ woman, Religious organizations, Traditional Birth attendants and the need to re-enlighten all its members about EVD and its prevention and control. Xix Prompt alert on the EVD to the appropriate authority where noticed.

8. xx. Workers caring for patients or suspects with EVD should avoid any exposure to the patients blood, and body fluids or direct unprotected contact with the possibly contaminated environment. xxi. All scavengers or refuse collectors, street sweepers should put on protective wear always. LAWMA, MOE, LGAS, LCDAS should note. xxii. Quarantine (enforced isolation) of infected area or person should be applied to effectively check the spread of the disease.

9. LEGAL FRAMEWORK IN THE CONTROL OF • COMMUNICABLE DISEASES (EVD) • It is instructive for all EHOs and SOs to be abreast of the relevant enactment guiding our operation when it comes to prevention and control of communicable diseases especially the dreaded EVD. • The Public Health Law, Law of Lagos State CAP. P25 2003, and the Sanitation Law 2001 serves as our guide. • The law enjoin you to enforce owner or occupier to clear streets near his premises free from streets, tenement , drains gutters or channels as part of the public responsibility to the state under the law s.16 CAP P25 2003 Law of Lagos state • S.18 Declaration of infected areas and order for evacuation of men from each area • (i)- Officer may place a mark or ordered that such premises be closed down until it is statutorily satisfy to be free • (ii)- Disinfection of such building may be ordered. • (iii)- Officer may order the destruction of any building where infectious diseases had occur in the interest of public health. • S. 24 Allows a health officer to order the destruction of any animal he reasonable believe are likely to be agent in the transmission of (EVD).

10. 4. S-25 Talks about Removal and detention of infected person and suspects5. S-26 Deals with isolation of contacts.6. S-27 Talks about compulsory notification of infectious diseases by the citizenry to the government7. S- 28 Allows an officer to remove all beddings, and clothing, of any infected person for disinfection.8. S-29 Talks about the disinfection of houses where cases of infectious disease is noticed before letting out such premises.9. The law forbid individuals from knowingly or negligently spreading the disease .

11. 10. S-34 allows the appointment of house visitors where and infectious, diseases is epidemic. 11. However law allows owner of houses or animal destroys for such purpose to be compensated as determined by the board.

12. RECOMMENDATIONS Federal Government should employ more Environmental Health officers to man our border communities • Prompt Isolation of infected Ebola patients including those in contact with them. • General Environmental Sanitation of the Community, streets, tenements and residents on a daily basis should be intensified and strictly enforced by Officers of the Ministry(MOE) and the LGAs/LCDAs.

13. CONCLUSION • In conclusion, the Ministry of the Environment and the LGAs/LCDAs should endeavour to employ more Environmental /Scientific Officers in order to cope with population trend of Lagos State. • The Honourable Commissioner of MOE/ Chairmen of LGAs/LCDAs should embark on immediate training of their staffs within and outside Nigeria on the prevention/control of communicable diseases (EVD).

14. Thank you. Ekoonibaje o…