Few years ago in a Latin class, a lecturer was explaining to us the concept of Pestilential Morbid Contagion, the outbreak of such, if not properly checked, can make a society desolate in no time. Of course, Ebola is a morbid contagion but not yet pestilential.
Human to human transmission is only achieved by physical contact with a person who is gravely and acutely ill of the Ebola virus. A person can incubate the virus without symptoms for 2-21 days, the average being 5-8 days before becoming ill. The infected people are not contagious until they are acutely ill, that is because it is only then that the viral load expresses itself first in the blood and then other bodily fluids- vomit, feaces, urine, breast milk, semen and sweat. That is why transmission among human is exclusively among family members, care givers, health workers and other who tend to or make physical contact with those very ill of the virus.
You cannot contract Ebola by handling money, buying stuffs, swimming in the pool or using the ATM. You will not contract Ebola if you do not touch a dying person.
Unfortunately, Ebola virus entered the most enlightened region in Nigeria however full of timid people who do not research but live on rumours, escalate fears and prescribe wanton remedies that look like juju rituals.
First, it was kola nut, no! Bitter kola, people now add salt to warm water to bathe. Before we know it, they will begin to add curry, maggi and tomatoes. Soon, people will begin to bath with pepper soup because of Ebola.
Next time you visit the bathroom, carry pounded yam along.
Falayi writes from THPO
