Kano state center for disease control hosted a high level media engagement in the state.
Addressing the media parley, professor Adamu Abbas stated that the engagement with media health desk reporters was to strengthen collaboration with the kncdc in terms of factual reportage for information dissemination to the general populace.
He said that even before the establishment of the agency there has been a cordial relationship with the media.
Professor Abbas said that in all thirty – six states of the federation Kano is the only state with an epidemiological center.
As about eleven states so far are desirous in emulating Kano state center for disease control.
He said that Kano which is a commercial center with high number of influx of people need to take preventive measures in educating and informing it’s citizens on transmittable disease e.g m.pox, lassa fever, marbourg and ebola diseases.
He said these zoonotic diseases are transferred from animals to humans Like cats, dogs, bats and even rats.
As he sighted instances were by some owners of this animals observe nonchalant attitude of not vaccinating their pets at all.
“Rabies can be transferred from an animal who was bitten by an infected animal which if care is not taken can easily be transferred to humans who associate themselves with these animals, he said”.
Professor Abbas added that to chart this course to the general public, the media has a crucial role to play by informing through radio, t.v , on line papers as well as social media handles.
He call on the media as a matter of importance to always liaise with the relevant authorities for first hand information before publication, as false stories erupt to panic, spreading of rumours and chaos within people.
He recall, Recently A case was reported on m.pox virus in ungogo LGA which after careful examination the victim after been diagnosed was treated immediately afterwards he came out negetive and was later discharged from the hospital.
The D.G said that the general public can send text messages for immediate action on the kncdc toll number on 0707 797 4504.
On his part, the Assistant public health officer W.H.O Kano office, Dr Ali Muktar said that most of these zoonotic diseases like the m.pox are transferable from animals to human.
Dr Muktar mentioned that preventive measures through broadcasting of clearly verified massages from relevant channels of health authorities will pave way in debunking the spread of infordermic news.
He Urge the public to taken serious measures in terms of personal and environmental hygiene to stay clear of diseases at all times.
During the media parley, the state health promotion officer Awwalu Sani Yahaya gave a brief history of the m.pox virus which originated from the Democratic Republic of Congo in the year 1970, and later on spread to other parts of the world.
Among signs and symptoms of m.pox virus are rashes or skin lesions for two – three weeks,fever headache,muscle aches, back pain, general body weakness, swollen lymph nodes.
