Commentary: Fighting Coronavirus Together

Written By: Prof. Peter Katchy

Corona is of the family of viruses known as Coronaviridae for containing strains that cause potentially deadly diseases in mammals and birds. In humans, they are typically spread via airborne droplets of fluid produced by infected individuals.

Coronavirus can give rise to a variety of symptoms in different animals. While some strains cause diarrhea in pigs and in turkeys. Most of the time, infections can be compared to a bad cold, causing respiratory problems such as a runny nose and sore throat.

Chinese health authorities, where it originates, are still trying to determine the source of the virus, which they say came from a Seafood Market in Wuhan where wildlife was also traded illegally. The World Health Organization says an animal source appears most likely to be the primary source of the outbreak. Snakes – including the Chinese krait and the cobra – may be the source of the newly discovered virus, according to Chinese scientists.

According to WHO, signs of infection include fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. Some say incubation period of the coronavirus could be between 10 and 14 days.

WHO says the outbreak constitutes a global health emergency. The international health alert is a call on countries around the world to coordinate their response under the guidance of the United Nations health agency.

WHO’s standard recommendations for the general public to reduce exposure to and transmission of Coronavirus, also known as COVID 19, include hand and respiratory hygiene, and safe food practices. People are urged to frequently clean their hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

When coughing and sneezing, we should cover our mouth and nose with fixed elbow or tissue. The tissue must be thrown away immediately after and our hands must be washed thoroughly with soap and running water. Nigerians must avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough; while those who have fever, cough and difficulty in breathing should seek medical care early and share previous travel history with his or her health care provider.

When visiting live markets in areas currently experiencing cases of coronavirus, we must avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals. Above all, the consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Raw meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.

Governments in Nigeria must be commended for being proactive in checkmating the pandemic. In Anambra, for instance, civil servants, who are not on essential service, have been directed to operate from their homes, while all public gatherings are suspended. These include traditional marriage ceremonies, community festivals, ofala festivals, masquerade festivals and funeral ceremonies. Others are baby christening, new yam festivals, title-taking ceremonies and any meeting of more than 30 participants.

According to Anambra state government, no Keke or tricycle rider should carry more than two passengers at a time; drivers of shuttle buses must not carry more than 3 passengers at a time, while drivers of township and mini buses must not carry more than 5 passengers at a time. The public is strongly advised to only visit the markets for essential commodities. People should endeavor to sit at home to adhere strictly to the basic standards of social distancing.

All persons returning to Anambra State from all countries of the world and states that have Covid-19 cases must go into self-isolation for 14 days and report. Security Agencies must ensure full compliance to ensure the best way of containing this plague.

Government should also make it mandatory that those returning from other countries must be isolated for at least 14 days in government regulated centres before they are allowed to go and mix with people. Be at alert! Protect yourself from this deadly virus!