A tale of two countries By Lawal Ogienagbon

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Rats and mosquitoes. These are the vectors of the two diseases shaking the two heavily populated countries of Nigeria and Brazil to their foundations. These diseases have killed scores of people in both countries and there are no signs of a let-up, if something is not done fast to address the problem. While Nigeria is battling Lassa fever, Brazil is contending with Zika virus.

Lassa fever is an haemorrhagic infection, which kills within a few days, if the sick does not seek medical attention fast enough. The first six days are said to be critical in the treatment of the disease. There is a drug to be taken within the first six days which will give the sick relief, but if that treatment window closes, the chances of survival are said to be slim. Zika affects new born babies, especially their heads. Since the outbreak, the heads of newly born babies have been unusually small. Doctors are confused about what to do.

The world is confronted with two diseases in two countries on two continents. Both countries have large populations. Nigeria with a population of 187 million is the most populated country in Africa. So, if there is any serious health challenge in the country, it will threaten other countries on the continent. Likewise in South America, Brazil with a population of 206.1 million is the largest on that continent. Between them, Nigeria’s and Brazil’s population is over 390 million. Rats and mosquitoes are common in both countries because of their high poverty level caused by poor standard of living.

Their huge populations have not translated into economic prosperity. They are still somehow backward and perhaps, this is why they are being ravaged by diseases which by now they should have contained because they occur seasonally. For instance, Lassa fever first broke out in Lassa village in Borno State in 1969 and since then it has been recurring every year during the dry season. Even though it first occurred in Borno State, its subsequent outbreaks have been in other parts of the country. No state is immune to Lassa fever and we have seen that so far. Speaking on the seasonal nature of the fever during his visit to the Northeast, Health Minister Prof Isaac Adewole said : ‘’It is a seasonal wind that blows across the country. What this administration will do is to ensure that this will be the last wind’’. Nigerians will be happy if that comes to pass.

The outbreak this year seems to be the worst in the history of the country. As I write this on Tuesday night, Ebonyi became the 18th state to record a death from the disease. It has been like this since this round of Lassa fever hit the country last August, with Niger as the index state. Among the other affected states are Bauchi, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Plateau, Gombe, Oyo and Akwa Ibom and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). With over 212 cases in 64 local government areas across 18 states so far, Lassa fever has wreaked havoc on the country, the kind not seen in its 47-year history. If the fever continues to ravage the land the way it is going the chances of it spreading to neighbouring countries are high.

The Federal Government keeps saying that it has the capacity to fight the disease, yet we keep on recording deaths from it. What is happening? Is it that the infected are not going to hospital or that they are  reporting to hospitals late? To prevent fresh cases, some states have embarked on what they call Operation-Kill-All-Rats. In Lagos, the Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN) has since got cracking, killing over 7000 rats in some markets in the first round of its de-rat the markets campaign. By the time it is done with the exercise, all rats may have been wiped out in the state.

This matter goes beyond wiping out rats, mosquitoes and cockroaches. Whether we like it or not, neither Nigeria nor Brazil has the wherewithal, at least for now, to wipe out these rodent and insects. Our lifestyle in both countries create room for them to thrive. Many families live with rats, cockroaches and mosquitoes. For us to overcome the Lassa fever challenge, the government must do something to improve the  standard of living. Many families do not know where the next meal will come from, that is if they ever have any in a day. They struggle to send their children to school only for these kids to graduate without a job to do. We are talking of self employment.

Yes, that is good. But who will provide the seed money for them to take off? Lassa fever will continue to torment us yearly if we do not do something about our lifestyle. It is not like Ebola, which is not indigenous to us. Lassa fever is part of us and it may remain with us for long except we tackle it from the root by improving the lifestyle of our people in the rural areas for them to appreciate the harm of  living on the border line. The government must move fast to check the spread of the disease nationwide before it is exported across the border, which may earn us sanction from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Zika is spreading fear not only in Brazil, but in the Americas. WHO has warned that the Zika disease may spread to South, Central and North America. In Brazil, the government is running from pillar to post trying to find a solution to this health challenge, which may scuttle its hosting of the Olympics from August 5 to 21. From Recife to Rio de Janeiro, everybody is gripped by fear. The carnivals planned for some cities have been cancelled. Expectant mothers are afraid for their unborn babies. The situation is so bad because the vaccine for the cure is not available. Without the vaccine, there is no cure.

And those planning to get pregnant have been advised not to do so, at least for the next two years. Aaaaah!   As it is in Nigeria, so it is in Brazil. These, indeed, are not the best of times for Nigera and Brazil. What a sour tale of two countries. May God deliver both countries from these terrible diseases.

NATION

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