Fighting the fear of Ebola in Nigeria
Public health experts argue that Ebola won’t become a pandemic but warn that fear of the disease is more potent than Ebola. Epidemiologists say the fastest way to prevent the spread of a disease is to identify and focus on “super-spreaders” i.e. those with the greatest capacity to infect others. In epidemiology, the rate at which an infection spreads is calculated by the R-nought of the disease. For instance, the R-nought of smallpox is between 3 and 7, depending on population density, that of Ebola is 1.5.
In a densely populated megacity like Lagos where most residents have access to a television and mobile phone, news about Ebola is bound to spread faster than the disease. Containing the fear of Ebola is thus, a communication challenge. And it can be won.
The public has to be inoculated against fear with timely information, as is already being done via several media platforms and different languages. Nigerians must be updated about efforts to contain the threat – people incubate the virus for 2 to 21 days, 5 to 8 on average, and are not contagious until they are acutely ill. People must be informed of the remote vulnerability of contacting the disease – the virus transmits from one person to another through physical contact. News of the hygienic habits to practise must go viral – the virus is easily killed by contact with soap, bleach, sunlight or drying.
In search for updates about the disease Nigerians taken to social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other chat platforms, to educate each other on the symptoms and prevention methods of the disease. #FactsOnEbola has been trending in Nigeria, with weakness, fever, aches, diarrhoea and vomiting, and stomach pain identified as symptoms of the virus.
The Ministry of Health and the Lagos State government must be commended for seizing a window of opportunity to prevent what we might call “super-spreaders” of the fear of Ebola. Specifically we refer to Lagos State’s proactive visit to Synagogue Church of All Nations and the Ministry of Health’s caution on the curative effect of bitter kola.
However, cultural challenges to conduct investigation and prevent further advance of the disease, including illiteracy, rampant rumours, mistrust of medicine, and burial practices that can help the disease spread remain a major challenge.
According to Thomas Frieden, director, United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, “We do know how to stop Ebola. Its old-fashioned plain and simple public health: find the patients, make sure they get treated, find their contacts, track them, educate people and do infection control in hospitals.”
The sub-regional Ebola Operations Coordination Centre (SEOCC) in Conakry revealed that actions are underway in the four affected countries. In Guinea, new foci have emerged and case management facilities will be needed. Exit screening is currently being tested in Conakry, in partnership with the United States Centre for Disease Control (CDC).
In Liberia, security issues continue to be of concern, notwithstanding the commitment of the government as community resistance remains high. In Nigeria, the government is focused on following up the contacts from the index case with five unit committees set up to control the spread of the disease. Also, a treatment centre is being set up for managing cases of Ebola. The same can be said of Sierra Leone as efforts are underway to map where treatment centres are most needed and getting those set up. Similar exercise is underway for laboratories.
While affected countries outline essential components for control, including the need for national leadership, improved care and case management, identifying transmission chains and stopping disease spread, and preventing further outbreaks, cross-border infections. Concerns about how we manage the fear of the disease and its socio-economic impact are as vital as containing the disease.