Head of the Infectious Diseases Unit, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Dr Iorhen Akase, has advised the public to maintain the best hygiene practices to prevent infectious diseases.
He said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, noting that reported cases of viral infections are on the rise, especially with the present dry and cold weather condition, which is capable of causing damage to the respiratory mucosal of humans.
The infectious disease expert revealed that some states are experiencing major outbreaks of the diseases and that respiratory infections are currently common among citizens, especially upper respiratory infections.
Akase noted that Lassa fever, meningitis, cholera, malaria, and tuberculosis, among others, are still affecting the country and could be prevented when the right measures are put in place.
“There are two major factors that drive infectious diseases; poverty and illiteracy. In any society where you have a high poverty rate and illiteracy, there will surely be infectious diseases.
“Tackling these ills goes beyond treating infection. It goes beyond medical issues to socio-economic issues. When socioeconomic indices of the society improve, infection rate declines.
“We have to holistically look at literacy rate, reduction of poverty, vaccination, housing, environmental hygiene and waste disposal,” he said.
The infectious disease expert said public awareness should be intensified, noting that an informed society would be less prone to infectious diseases.
He further said that citizens are better able to protect themselves, follow directives, and report for better and timely healthcare when they are knowledgeable.
Akase stressed the need to embrace a One Health approach to prevent and tackle common threats affecting the health and well-being of humans, animals, plants and the environment together.
He advised the public to practice good hygiene, maintain a clean environment, block all holes in the house to prevent rodents from entering, prevent stagnant water, desilt drainage and ensure proper disposal of garbage.
The infectious disease expert advised healthcare workers to always implement standard Infection prevention and control measures in the face of an escalating fight against infectious diseases.
(NAN)
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