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The Management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has issued guidelines to its employees and port community stakeholders on the risks posed by the deadly Ebola Virus while giving directives about the risk factors in a port environment.
The Managing Director Nigerian Ports Authority, Malam Habib Abdullahi, who acknowledged that Nigerian Ports are gateways hence vulnerable, however cautioned port operators, especially first line contact officers against negligence when dealing with foreigners and vulnerable group.
The MD while expressing deep empathy for those who have contacted the Ebola virus in the course of duty, noted that NPA would leave no stone unturned to make sure that port facilities are Ebola Virus-free
Giving an insight into what NPA has done, he disclosed that, measures put in place to educate stakeholders on the deadly disease include, the commencement of enlightenment campaign about the origin, symptoms, mode of spread, identifying people at high risk, diagnosis, containment and prevention of infection. The medical department of the authority has equally issued guidelines to all its medical personnel on protection and prevention measures to be adopted in discharge of their duties.
These precautionary measures which are expected to be instilled in the workplace environment and in the Port terminals will be carried out in collaboration with the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Division of the Authority and the Port Health.
According to him, the measures are in line with the information from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is one of the world’s most virulent diseases, with a case fatality rate as high as 90%, according WHO. The infection is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected animals or people. EVD is often characterized by the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat, and followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function. In some cases, there is both internal and external bleeding.
