E-CIGARETTE, TOBACCO PRODUCTS INCREASES ORAL CANCER: RESEARCH GROUP

 
Scholars from University of California, San Francisco (UC San Francisco) have found that people who consume E-cigarettes and tobacco product are more likely to develop oral cancer, a U.S. non-profit advocating oral health said over the weekend. 

The International Association for Dental Research (IADR) said UC San Francisco researchers Benjamin Chaffee and Neal Benowitz, the co-author of a paper on nicotine and carcinogen exposure from consumption of tobacco product, examined the risks of people who are exposed to known carcinogen resulting from the use of different tobacco products, alone or in combination. 

They assessed a national sample of 32,320 U.S. adults collected between 2013 and 2014, who provided urine specimens for analysis of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), N’-nitrosonornicotine, a known oral and esophageal carcinogen, and 4-(methynitrosamino)-1-(3)-pyridyle-1-butanol, a metabolite of lung carcinogen, as well as total nicotine equivalents. 

Among the participants, 48 percent are female and 61 per cent non-Hispanic white aged from 18 years old to 90 years old, with a median age of 35 years. More than 6,000 of them were characterized according to use of combustible products such as cigarettes, cigars, waterpipe, pipes, marijuana-containing cigar, smokeless products including moist snuff, chewing tobacco, snus, and e-cigarette, as well as nicotine replacement products. 

The researchers found that all tobacco use categories showed elevated nicotine and TSNA concentrations compared to non-users. Smokeless tobacco users have the highest level of TSNA exposure, whether they use one tobacco product or together with other product types. The study discovered that the vast majority of non-cigarette tobacco users are exposed to carcinogen levels that are likely to put them at substantial risk, just as much as exclusive cigarette smokers would suffer.

AUTHORITIES SACK 40 DOCTORS FOR HELPING INJURED PROTESTERS

Authorities in Nicaragua on Monday sacked 40 more doctors for attending to those injured in recent protests, local media reported. According to the report, the health ministry fired some 40 doctors and nurses at a hospital in Jinotepe in southern Nicaragua for political reasons and refused to pay them for July. It said that there were reports of similar sackings in the country’s south.

A pediatrician told the online newspaper Confidencial that she was not ruling out the possibility of having been sacked for political reasons after she issued a statement sympathetic to those protesting against Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega.

Earlier this week, there were reports the health ministry fired about 20 doctors from the Oscar Danilo Rosales public hospital in the western city Leon. The Central American country has experienced unrest since the first anti-government protests erupted on April 18 in response to controversial social security reforms. Human rights groups put the death toll as high as 448, while the government says it is only in the dozens.

- NAN

PREVENTING DRUG ABUSE IN THE WORKPLACE

Drug abuse at work is the leading cause of preventable employer expenses and Workers’ Compensation Claims. Employees who use drugs not only jeopardize their health and safety; they also compromise their productivity, which directly leads to company losses. Employers can mitigate the inherent risk of substance abuse problems in the workplace, but first, the signs of addiction need to be recognized:

Signs that someone is on drugs

If you suspect one or more of your workers might be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the trick is to intervene as soon as possible. Common signs of workplace drug abuse:

Significant changes in productivityLess likely to meet deadlines for assignmentsAffected quality of workNot able to perform physical labor to the employer’s standardCompromised relationships with colleaguesAn argumentative or negative attitude at workInability to accept criticism, even if delivered respectfullyMajority of the time at work spent in isolationFrequent breaks or absencesAn unusual number of trips to the restroomCalling in sick to work oftenExtended lunch breaks

It’s challenging for employers to distinguish personality traits from a drug abuse problem. Many employees work better independently, so long-term monitoring is required to obtain sufficient proof. If a change in behavior persists or worsens to the point where it affects the productivity of other employees, this could be indicative of a larger problem in need of intervention or termination.

How Does Drug Abuse Affect the Workplace?

Not a single employer on the planet wishes to throw money away. Drug abuse at workplaces a heavy demand on a company’s budget which could otherwise be allocated to more productive activities. These costs are felt when paying out annual employee benefit expenses and Workers’ Compensation Claims. Without a proper, carefully selected drug testing program, employers and their companies become vulnerable to drugs entering unbarred.

Workplace Drug Abuse Statistics

Drug abuse at work is linked to 47% of workplace injuries and 40% of workplace deaths

Why is Drug Testing Important?

Drug testing in the workplace is important in more ways than one. In fact, many studies show job candidates are reluctant to even apply for positions at companies who have an existing drug testing policy in place because of a fear of being caught.

Nowadays, employers are given many drug testing options, not limited to urine, saliva, and hair follicle testing. No matter the chosen method, drug testing has the ability to save employers so much money each year. The tradeoff will be be measurable.

How to Report Drug Use at Work

Employers or business owners aren’t necessarily the first to notice changes in an employee’s behavior because of drug abuse at work. In fact, it’s usually colleagues — the people who work among drug abuser — who are first to detect someone under the influence of a drug or alcohol addiction.

Reporting a colleague’s possible drug abuse can be a tricky situation, especially since the desire to do so may actually result in the termination of an employee's appointment, if they are in fact a confirmation of suspicion of drug abuse.

However, colleagues who dearly care about their fellow workers can take the following steps in helping their colleague receive the help and attention they need to recover. If you suspect a colleague’s drug abuse in the workplace:

1.  Notify Human Resources before anyone else. It’s important not to create an environment of gossip, especially around a personal problem such as addiction.

2.  If a colleague is found to be a drug or alcohol abuser, make sure to offer full support and encouragement as they embark upon what will be a perilous journey to recovery.

3.  Before reporting the actions of a fellow employee, make sure to have some basis of fact in your observations. Record any obviously dangerous or harmful behavior that may involve other coworkers.

How Do You Test For Drugs in the Workplace?

Any kind of drug test will complement your brand new or existing workplace drug testing policy.

Drug testing is applicable in any stage of employment:

Pre-Employment Drug Testing

As a job applicant, this is the test that you will have to pass as a condition of your employment. Worry about this one first before getting concerned about the lot below.

Random Drug Testing

These tests help ensure that employees remain drug and/or alcohol free during the course of their employment.

A random selection process makes sure that every employee has the same chance of being selected (or not selected – you know glass half full or half empty kind of thing).

Periodic Testing

The purpose of a clearly written drug testing policy is to outline, among other things, just exactly under what circumstances employee drug testing is to be done. Employers cannot indiscriminately order drug tests on any or all of their employees unless they explicitly state it in their drug-free workplace policy, lest they be sued for discrimination.2

Reasonable Suspicion Drug Testing

Should an employee show up for work looking, smelling or acting like he may be intoxicated or high, a drug screen may be required in accordance with the provisions of the organization’s drug-free workplace policy. So if you think you can party-all-night and then come straight to work the next day, you can’t. So don’t. At least shower first. Get rid of the look or the smell.

Post-Accident Drug Testing

If there is enough reason to believe that a workplace accident or incident may have been related to drugs or alcohol, a drug screen may be conducted on the spot, again in accordance with the procedures as written in the drug-free workplace policy.

Return to Work Testing

Employees who may have been suspended or undergoing treatment for substance abuse may be required to submit to a drug test prior to returning to work.

Substance Abuse Support

It’s possible to boost your company’s reputation by adopting drug and alcohol assessments for all staff members. Any inkling of doubt can be erased in a matter of minutes, as long as employers are properly equipped with the resources needed to detect drug abuse at work.

Over 50% of serious employers have adopted some kind of drug abuse detection programs. This is not only to preserve employee health and wellness but to also make sure the best and brightest candidates enter a company’s doors. Drug testing supplies can be the first line of defense against drug abuse in the workplace, and most tests do not cost more than a cup of coffee for each employee. Some food for thought around workplace substance abuse.

We are dedicated to helping Behavioral Healthcare providers find success.

-ABC Recovery Center

DRUG DETOXIFICATION - BY ABC RECOVERY CENTER

ABC Recovery Center

ABC Recovery Center offers a full service of Drug detoxification program for men and women over the age of 18. The process begins with a pre-screening interview conducted by a member of our staff to determine the potential patient’s status and to gather information about the appropriateness for various levels of care. Upon arrival at the center, each individual receives an assessment of condition and need. In many cases clients are referred to a local doctor who can assess and treat them concurrent with the detoxification episode.

Drug Detoxification

Drug Detoxification is customized for each individual. Once admitted, new patients move into ABC’s detoxification facility to become stabilized. For three to ten days each patient is monitored closely. Vital signs are measured every few hours. The ABC Center staff is on twenty-four hour duty to help new patients through this vital step in their recovery.

Each new patient is evaluated using the Addiction Severity Index, a recognized standardized diagnostic and evaluative instrument in the field of alcohol and drug abuse. Other assessment tools to help assess their circumstances are used as well. Our professional staff then develops for each person a customized patient treatment plan. Following detoxification the patient usually moves into one of the other ABC treatment programs. 

-ABC Recovery Center

MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTISTS KICK AGAINST AMENDMENT OF MLSCN ACT.

 
The association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (MLSCN)  are  kicking against the attempt by the federal ministry of health to sponsor a bill to the national Assembly to amend the MLSCN Act Cap M25, LFN 2004, saying it is not only inimical to their professional interest but also against public interest.

They said such act should be stopped  before it brought embarrassment to the fragile Nigeria health system. “The proposed amendment is a retrogressive agenda solely for the aggrandizement of a section of the health system.
Unarguably, the amendment will make worse the precarious and very deplorable Nigeria health indices.”

The association presented their position in a statement read by the National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Casmir Ifeanyi, during its special general meeting held on Saturday at the multipurpose hall of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Gombe.

They said the attempt is a deliberate strategy by some unscrupulous persons who are using there political and administrative positions to render the medical laboratory profession in Nigeria extinct and confer dual roles of both medicine and laboratory science to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN).

“It is quite unfortunate that under the auspices of the federal ministry of health, the trio of the NMA and MDCAN, inclusive of the College of Nigerian Pathologists are now hell-bent at using their vantage political and administrative positions to wreak havoc on the development and practice of medical laboratory science profession in Nigeria.”

According to them the moves and disposition is in contradiction to international standard and global trends as such Nigeria should not deviate from what is being practice globally. They further noted that the proposed amendment will warrant a perilous situation where everyone can practice and provide medical laboratory services discretionally , anywhere and anyhow without regulatory control, stressing that such a situation will be catastrophic for the public and the health system.

The professional body further disclosed that the federal government cannot be talking about amendment when all the issues in the proposed amendment have been addressed by various courts in eight judicial interpretations and declaratory judgements across the country. They said in all the judgements declared in favour of MLSCN, the judiciary holds that, “the Medical Laboratory Science is a profession distinct from Medicine and that there is no conflict between the MLSCN Act Cap M25, LFN 2004 and the MDCN Act Cap M8, LFN 2004. 

MONTHLY SANITATION EXERCISE HOLDS IN RIVERS STATE TODAY

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro. Felix Obuah, has announced that this month’s State-wide Sanitation exercise will holds today, July 28, 2018, across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State from 7am – 10am.

In a statement, the RIWAMA Sole Administrator said there will be strict restriction of human and vehicular movements during the exercise. The RIWAMA Sole Administrator enjoined all Local Government Chairmen in the 23 Local Government Councils of the State to ensure full participation of the people in their respective council areas.

Bro. Felix Obuah also appealed to security agencies to strictly enforce the restriction of human and vehicular movement order during the period of the exercise across the State.

The Sole Administrator also enjoined all Rivers people and those living and doing business in the State to comply accordingly by using the period to clean their environment and surroundings as defaulters will face the wrath of the law.

He urged owners of trucks (individuals and corporate organisations) to make available their trucks for evacuation of wastes that would be generated during the period of the sanitation exercise.

While urging the people of the State to support Governor Nyesom Wike’s vision of a clean and safe environment, Bro. Obuah reiterated the uncompromised commitment of the Agency (RIWAMA) in ensuring that Port Harcourt regained its Garden City status as well as having a healthy and clean State for the citizenry.

NEW SPECIE OF EBOLA VIRUS FOUND IN SIERRA LEONE

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the “massive destruction of 788 health facilities in North East by Boko Haram insurgents has weakened health system in the region.”

A new specie of Ebola virus has been found in bats in Sierra Leone, two years after the end of an outbreak that killed over 11,000 across West Africa, the government said on Thursday.

It is not yet known whether the new Bombali species of the virus — which researchers say could be transmitted to humans — can develop into the deadly Ebola disease.

“At this time, it is not yet known if the Bombali Ebola virus has been transmitted to people or if it causes disease in people but it has the potential to infect human cells,” Amara Jambai, a senior ministry of health official, told AFP.

“This is early stages of the findings,” Jambai added, calling on the public to remain calm while awaiting further research.

A health ministry spokesman and a researcher who worked on the discovery confirmed the findings to AFP.

Researchers who found the new virus in the northern Bombali region are now working with the Sierra Leone government to determine whether any humans were infected.

“As precautionary measures, people should refrain from eating bats,” Harold Thomas, health ministry spokesman told AFP.

The worst-ever Ebola outbreak started in December 2013 in southern Guinea before spreading to two neighbouring west African countries, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The West African outbreak was caused by the Zaire species, which has historically been the most deadly in humans since it was first identified in 1976.

That outbreak killed more than 11,300 people out of nearly 29,000 registered cases, according to World Health Organization estimates. The WHO formally declared the epidemic over in 2016.

By AFP

ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT (ERA)

Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) aims at assessing the effects of stressors, often chemicals, on the local environment. A risk is an integrated assessment of likelihood and severity of an undesired event. In ERA, the undesired event often depends on the chemical of interest and on the risk assessment scenario. This undesired event is usually a detrimental effect on organisms', population or the ecosystems. 

An environmental risk assessment uses similar techniques to the health and safety risk assessment your business already has to perform. In this case, you'll be assessing the likelihood of your business causing harm to the environment. 

Current ERAs usually compare an exposure to a no-effect level, such as the

Predicted Environmental Concentration: Predicted No-Effect Concentration (PEC : PNEC) ratio.

Although this type of ratio is useful and often used in regulation purposes, it is only an indication of an exceeded apparent threshold. New approaches have been developed in ERA in order to quantifiy this risk and to communicate effectively on it with both the managers and the general public.

Many organisations, where you are confident you understand what's involved, can do the assessment themselves. You don't have to be a health and safety expert.

When thinking about your risk assessment, you know what is termed a HAZARD and what is termed a RISK.

1.) HAZARD is anything that may cause harm, such as chemicals, electricity, working from ladders, an open drawer etc

2.) RISK is the chance, high or low, that somebody could be harmed by these and other hazards, together with an indication of how harmful or serious the said harm could be.

HOW TO CARRY OUT AN ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT

There are basically five key steps to carrying out an environmental risk assessment which includes:

1.) Identify all possible risks and hazards - ie possible sources of harm

2.) Be clear about the kind of harm they might cause.

3.) Evaluate the risk of harm - ie the likelihood that a given hazard will actually cause harm - and identify precautions

4.) Record the results of the assessment and implement precautions

5.) Review the assessment at regular intervals

IDENTIFY HAZARDS:

When looking for hazards in your business, you should consider:

1.)  Waste storage and disposal - eg making sure that proper refuse bins are used, and are located away from drains and watercourses

2.)  Ensure that emissions of dust and other substances or air particulates to the air arising from your business is properly taken care of.

3.)  Storage, use and disposal of hazardous substances are in line with extant laws/regulations.

4.)  Ensure that any liquid waste from your facility does not leak/ or not washed off into drain. All liquid wastes must be properly contained and the container placed on an elevated platforms with bond walls perimeter around it.

DO NOT DISCHARGE INTO DRAINS OR ANYWHERE WITHOUT TREATMENT. 

5.) Carry out environmental risk assessment of your raw materials - such as potentially toxic metals or other materials before using. 

6.) Be very mindful of environmental impact of packaging.

NOTE: There are statutory minimum standards to maintain in some of these areas.

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

In IPM, pest management is divided into two main parts for easier management. These are:

1. VERTEBRATE PEST MANAGEMENT

2. INVERTEBRATE PEST MANAGEMENT

Vertebrate pests include animals with a backbone, such as rats/mice, snakes etc. In line with IPM principles, vertebrate pests is best managed using the following technics:

1. Exclusion:

Exclusion is the practice of keeping the pest out of or away from (farms, crops,  buildings, etc. Using barriers, such as fencing and durable materials, to plug entrances into buildings or prevent animals from accessing your premises, gardens, lawns or landscape plants, are examples of exclusion practices. Fences must be sized according to the type of pest to be excluded.To be effective, exclusion fences must be at least 6 feet tall. Some experts recommend the fence be 7 to 8-feet tall.

(2.) Sanitation

This is especially important for areas like kitchens, residences and other areas where animals are kept. Eliminate food and water sources. Store food and animal feeds, grain and seed in rodent-proof containers. Repair leaky pipes. Sanitation is very important for managing vertebrate pests in yards. Avoid leaving food remnants,  fruits and vegetables where they are accessible to pests.

(3.) Trapping:

There are several types of kill traps and live traps available for most vertebrate pest species. It is essential to choose the proper trap and learn the correct way to use it. Live trapping and releasing the pest is neither acceptable nor legal. Individuals who release live-trapped animals are moving the pest problem and sometimes diseases like rabies, distemper or plague along with them. Live trapping followed by an approved method of euthanasia is recommended. When using live traps, do NOT relocate pest animals.

(4.) Repellent: In agricultural application new growth on plants must be retreated, and animals may easily get used to the repellent and resist it. Repellants may be applied to valuable vegetation or can be used in areas where pests are known to frequent. They often don't work the way people expect them to work. Sunshine can break down the repellent, and sprinklers and rain can wash away the product.

(5.) Rodenticide Baits:

Baits such as seeds, grains and vegetation treated with rodenticides are used to control several types of vertebrate pests. Most baits must be applied in bait stations or underground within animal burrows to lessen the risk of killing of non-target species. Pesticide labels describe methods for applying the bait. Pesticides used include strychnine, zinc phosphide and various anticoagulants. Strychnine may only be applied underground.

(6.) Fumigants: 

Smoke bombs and various types of internal combustion engines produce poison gases, including carbon monoxide, that can be used as fumigants. This is a very dangerous method that should be avoided by homeowners. As such, only trained professionals in IPM are allowed to use this. 

To be effective, all burrow entrances must be blocked. When using smoke bombs, avoid areas near structures,  stacks, etc. Aluminum phosphide fumigants are available either as tablets or pellets. When applied in rodent burrows, they produce phosphine gas, which is deadly. Applied improperly, aluminum phosphide has resulted in numerous human deaths. To purchase, apply or supervise the use of this pesticide, applicator must be certified and duely trained by the Rivers State Ministry Of Environment. Home owners CAN NOT use these products at home without trained IPM professionals.

WHAT IS INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT?

IPM is a managed pest management system that:

(1.) Eliminates or mitigates economic and health damage caused by pests; 

(2.) Minimizes the use of pesticides and the risk to human health and the environment associated with pesticide applications; 

(3.) Use integrated methods to successfully carry out pest infestation assessments, inspections, pest population monitoring, an evaluation of the need for pest control, and one or more pest control methods, including sanitation, structural repairs, mechanical and living biological controls, other non-chemical methods, and, if nontoxic options are unreasonable and have been exhausted, least toxic pesticides. 

LEAST TOXIC PESTICIDES 

Least toxic pesticides include: This is determined to be a possible, probable, or known carcinogen, mutagen, teratogen, reproductive toxin, developmental neurotoxin, endocrine disruptor, or immune system toxin; a pesticide in toxicity category I or II; and any application of the pesticide using a broadcast spray, dust, tenting, fogging, or baseboard spray application.

A well-defined Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a program that should be based on prevention, monitoring, and control which offers the opportunity to eliminate or drastically reduce the use of pesticides, and to minimize the toxicity of and exposure to any products which are used. IPM does this by utilizing a variety of methods and techniques, including cultural, biological and structural strategies to control a multitude of pest problems.

IPM is a term that is used loosely with many different definitions and methods of implementation. IPM can mean virtually anything the practitioner wants it to mean. Beware of chemical dependent programs masquerading as IPM.

Those who argue that IPM requires the ability to spray pesticides immediately after identifying a pest problem are not describing IPM. Conventional pest control tends to ignore the causes of pest infestations and instead rely on routine, scheduled pesticide applications. Pesticides are often temporary fixes, ineffective over the long term.

Non-toxic and least toxic control products are a major growth area and new materials and devices are increasingly available in the marketplace.

THE SIX IPM PROGRAM ESSENTIALS 

(1.) Monitoring: 

This includes regular site inspections and trapping to determine the types and infestation levels of pests at each site.

(2.) Record-Keeping: 

A record-keeping system is essential to establish trends and patterns in pest outbreaks. Information recorded at every inspection or treatment should include pest identification, population size, distribution, recommendations for future prevention, and complete information on the treatment action.

(3.) Action Levels: 

Pests are virtually never eradicated. An action level is the population size which requires remedial action for human health, economic, or aesthetic reasons.

(4) Prevention: 

Preventive measures must be incorporated into the existing structures and designs for new structures. Prevention is and should be the primary means of pest control in an IPM program.

(5.) Tactics Criteria:  

Under IPM, chemicals should be used only as a last resort only, but when used, the least-toxic materials should be chosen, and applied to minimize exposure to humans and all non-target organisms.

(6.) Evaluation: 

A regular evaluation program is essential to determine the success of the pest management strategies.

RETURN OF SOOT IN PORT-HARCOURT: COMPROMISING INDOOR & OUTDOOR AIR QUALITY

The word "soot" sounds so simple and harmless. To some, it conjures up images of firewood fires and candles, and fireplaces.

Soot includes the fine black particles, chiefly composed of carbon, produced by incomplete combustion of coal, oil, wood, or other fuels. Soot can consist of acids, chemicals, metals, soils, and dust. The common trait of soot particles is that they are extremely tiny – 2.5 micrometers or smaller in diameter. This is smaller than dust and mold, and is about 1/30 the diameter of a human hair.

This combination – extremely small size and toxic composition – is what makes soot so dangerous. It can travel deep into the lung, where the compounds it consists of can do some serious damage.

SOURCES:
Soot is the byproduct of the burning of fossil fuels. This includes burning coal for electricity or industrial fuel, manufacturing, oil refining, and motor vehicles.

Soot enters the environment either as a solid particle or as a gas which turns into a particle after it has been released. These particles can end up very far away from their site of origin.

Soot can also become a problem following a fire. A common house fire results in the burning of a wide variety of materials, from wood and paper to plastics and other synthetic items. This results in soot contamination, and poses a serious cleanup problem.

Soot can also negatively impact Indoor Air Quality. Excessive use of candles in an indoor environment can lead to a buildup of soot. This sometimes leads to "ghosting", where the tiny soot particles cling to areas of walls and ceilings due to electrostatic attraction. This can also happen when fireplaces are insufficiently ventilated. If you see these "soot ghosts" in your home, you may want to rethink your level of candle usage or have your chimney evaluated. 

RISKS- HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT

Compounds from soot - sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides - combine with moisture to form acid rain, which worsens water quality, damages soil and crops, and changes nutrient balances in various ecosystems.

Breathing the tiny particles can cause coronary heart disease, asthma, bronchitis, and many other respiratory illnesses. 

Research has also shown that many premature deaths are directly related to soot in the environment. Particle exposure leads to around 20,000 premature deaths in America each year. Many of these deaths were caused by soot-related diseases. Data also show that soot annually causes almost 300,000 asthma attacks and 2 million lost workdays due to repiratory problems.

... To be Cont'd

BENZENE: THE SILENT DRINKING WATER CONTAMINANT IN THE NIGER DELTA AREA

EHOs in the Niger Delta area must watch out for Benzene in underground water sources. Include Benzene in water analysis chemical parameters. Also to be on the watched list is ARSENIC in Drinking water. 

All these could be made easier with the establishment of ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH LABORATORY in all states in Nigeria especially the impacted states.

Benzene is a petroleum hydrocarbon and also a natural product. Benzene is a clear, colorless, aromatic, highly flammable liquid with a distinctive, sweet smell. 

Benzene occurs naturally and evaporates easily. Small amounts are released by volcano eruptions, forest fires, and underground oil and gas reservoirs; however, larger amounts are released by human activities. 

Benzene is a component of crude oil and petroleum-based chemicals that can be released into the environment through motor vehicle exhaust, leaking underground storage tanks and gasoline spills. 

Benzene is also present in petroleum products used to manufacture such common products as plastics, nylon, Styrofoam, rubber, dry cleaning solvents, dyes, lubricants, printing fluids and pesticides. 

Benzene may escape into the environment through industrial discharges, improper waste management and faulty product handling and storage. Tobacco smoke also releases benzene into the air.

WHAT BENZENE IS USED FOR:

It is a solvent and building block for many chemicals, including BTEX, styrene, detergents and cumene that is converted to phenol and acetone. The largest use is in gasoline as an octane enhancer, especially since the elimination of lead. Gasoline contains about one or two percent benzene and other aromatics.

HUMAN EXPOSURE:

Exposure occurs from occupations, airborne inhalation, traces in foods and alcoholic beverages and minimal amounts in some drinking water sources. Outdoor airborne levels average about 1 ppb and contribute around 7.5 µg/day.

Indoor air is greater with contributions from secondhand cigarette smoke, gas cooking, wood burning stoves and fireplaces, as well as releases from furnishings and attached garages, with levels as high as 31 µg/m³.Cigarette smoking is the single, greatest human exposure source. A cigarette smoker can inhale about 1.8 mg (1800 µg) per day directly from 32 cigarettes.Drinking water is a negligible source for the vast majority of people.

OCCURRENCE IN WATER:

Most surface and ground water contain no detectable benzene. However, Borehole (Well) water contaminated with gasoline from leaking underground storage tanks or a nearby hazardous waste site often contains some benzene. Oil spill and bunkering have contributed immensely to underground water pollution in the Niger Delta area especially. 
Sadly water analysis is not mostly done by water source providers exposing the large populace to benzene poisoning as result of constantly consuming hydrocarbon contaminated water. Where water analysis is done, Benzene and arsenic are not usually part of the chemical parameters for analysis. Why?

Environmental Health Officers and professionals in the Niger Delta areas must start enforcement of Benzene and Arsenic inclusion in the chemicals parameters.

HEALTH EFFECTS:

As with most volatile solvents, benzene can cause drowsiness and headaches at high inhalation Levels. Benzene is a known human carcinogen — based upon occupational epidemiology. 
Leukemias are the principal cancer concern.  Lifetime risk calculation for inhalation is about one in 100,000 to one in one million for exposure at 1 µg/m3. The calculated risk of one in one million for ingestion through drinking water is between 10 and 100 ppb. The other BTEX hydrocarbons have much less chronic risk than benzene.

ANALYTICAL METHODS:

Analyses are by purge and trap gas chromatography and related procedures.

 

BENZENE CONTAMINATED WATER TREATMENT:

Granular activated carbon and aeration are available to water treatment plants. Reverse osmosis is not effective because an organic solvent, such as benzene, can dissolve in the membrane and migrate to the treated water. 

POU and POE using activated carbon are effective, however, they must be replaced before exhaustion.

WHAT IS BENZENE?

Benzene is a hydrocarbon manufactured from petroleum and also a natural product in some foods. It is a six-member carbon ring with a hydrogen attached to each carbon. Benzene is the base product among the family of BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene) hydrocarbons produced in very high volume. The other BTEX have a methyl group (CH₃^–), or ethyl (C₂H₅^–) or two methyls attached to the benzene ring.Its boiling point is 80.1^o C (176.2^o F), and water solubility is about 2 grams per liter. Its molecular formula is C₆H₆, and its molecular weight is 78.11 daltons. It is called an aromatic hydrocarbon but that is more so a name of the family of chemical structures, rather than an odor indication. It is a VOC and lighter than water with a specific gravity of about 0.9 g/ml. The odor detection threshold is about 5 mg/m³.

REGULATION/ENFORCEMENT LIMITS :

The drinking water Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) is zero, and the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) is 5 ppb.  
The World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water guideline is 10 ppb. 
All of these are very conservative values.

ALWAYS ANALYSE YOUR BOREHOLE WATER IN ACCREDITED LABORATORY CORRECTLY TO AVOID ARSENIC POISONING IN DRINKING WATER

Arsenic in Drinking Water: Arsenic is a semi-metallic element occurring naturally and abundantly throughout the earth. It commonly surfaces by natural processes and often has a negligible presence in water, but can also be exposed in devastating amounts both naturally and due to human industry, typically agricultural irrigation or mining.

However exposed, arsenic poisoning in drinking water has led to serious health crises in third world countries such as Bangladesh, but also threatens affluent nations like the United States. Many problems have arisen amidst the efforts to remedy other health concerns, such as the endeavour to transport water free of various diseases including diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid, cholera and hepatitis.

In trying to solve these hazards, arsenic has unexpectedly been exposed. The pure form of arsenic is not usually found in the natural environment. It is more commonly found combined with oxygen, chlorine and/or sulphur and is referred to as inorganic arsenic. When arsenic is combined with carbon and hydrogen it is called organic arsenic and is much less toxic. Organic arsenic is commonly found in most seaweed and other marine food and has not been known to pose any health risk to humans.

Commercially, arsenic is used heavily in alloying agents, in the manufacture of glass to clarify the colour tainted by impurities, to harden lead and also in the production of military poisonous gases. The inorganic arsenic responsible for the majority of the arsenic cancer cases releases into underground water sources through rocks and soil. Sometimes natural erosion can introduce large quantities of arsenic into a local water source.

Arsenic is also released into the environment through the manufacturing of pesticides, the burning of fossil fuels, and cigarette smoke. It enters water sources through the dissolution of minerals and ores, from industrial effluents, and from atmospheric deposition. A poisonous amount for human beings is anything greater than 65 mg, whether taken in a single dose or built up from multiple amounts. A few of the many symptoms linked to chronic exposure are hyperpigmentation, depigmentation, keratosis, and peripheral vascular diseases. Various internal cancers, skin cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases have also been linked to arsenic exposure and ingestion.

The US National Academy of Sciences reported in 1999 that arsenic can cause bladder, lung and skin cancer, and might cause liver and kidney cancer. The harmful effects of arsenic poisoning are magnified by other health problems such as Hepatitis B or malnutrition. Generally skin lesions first appear after a period of roughly five years of exposure. Because the exact amount of arsenic intake is often unknown, scientists have difficulty predicting future effects.

Much ambiguity remains in understanding the precise ramifications of arsenic intake on account of the complexity of factors: the status of the arsenic, the nutritional situation of the infected people, and the effect of other diseases make research slow and difficult. The most crucial remedial action promoted at present is prevention of further exposure and the provision of safe water—two obvious but complex solutions.

Arsenic poisoning affects an enormously diverse range of people. It reaches both the poor and rich, and even when the latter could afford to do something about it they often lack knowledge of the problem. For instance, a family in Michigan, a mother and her three children, lived for years in agony enduring extreme fatigue, hair loss, and skin gashes while 16 different doctors failed to diagnose their ailment. Finally, the seventeenth doctor determined their troubles came from arsenic poisoning in their water.

For a long time many counties ignored or denied the problem, but recently it has become an unavoidable issue. The fact that arsenic levels in wells can fluctuate within hours, changing from safe to toxic, makes the process frustrating and tedious. 

The most well known arsenic poisoning site in the world is Bangladesh. It has drawn worldwide concern and many have made efforts to remedy the problem. The World Health Organisation developed an arsenic standard meant to be a guideline for nations.

In 1993 the Guidelines established 0.01 mg/L as a provisional standard. The earlier standard was 0.05 mg/L which has been the national target for many countries including Bangladesh. Well drilling and population increase has worsened the arsenic problem in the past 25 years. Perhaps the greatest obstacle to fighting the effects of the poison is the pervasive ignorance of its harm and proper treatment.

The Global Applied Research Network (GARNET) recently reported that only 20% of local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) had any significant information about the extent and nature of the problem. 

Problems were first suspected in Bangladesh after doctors noticed a growing number of skin lesions caused by arsenic in West Bengal, India, in 1983. More than 200,000 cases of poisoning were found from the exposure of over 1.5 million people. One of the main contributors to this occurred before the arsenic problem was even suspected.

For the last 20 years in Bangladesh millions of tube-wells have been drilled less than 200 meters into the ground in an effort to provide drinking water free of various diseases. Ironically these tube-wells were carrying arsenic-contaminated water into drinking sources. Tests were not even capable of detecting it until the wells were already contaminated.

Contaminated well water poses the biggest threat of arsenic in Bangladesh. More than 2.5 million wells provide water to over 95% of the population. The wells were thought to be safe until the discovery of arsenic contaminants in 1993. The two causes generally thought to release the arsenic are pyrite oxidation and oxyhydroxide reduction.

It is generally agreed that most of the contamination is due to the latter natural geological causes, and recently a public health measure has been coupled with sanitation measures to significantly decrease disease. One solution put forth to address water poisoning is field testing kits. These are readily available on a number of Internet sites, but have yet to be used widely in Bangladesh. Efforts involving both governmental and private organisations have begun and produced new treatment technologies.

While much progress has been made, a severe disparity still exists across the nation. The World Bank gave a $32.4 million credit to Bangladesh in August 1998, and many would like to see the government move toward more effective facilitating of services to local communities that are willing to invest in water sanitation measures but lack the opportunity to do so. Without any major efforts that would most likely be planned and facilitated by the government, few options remain to provide safe, arsenic-free water.

Arsenic has been found in the ground water of Argentina, Chile, India, Mexico, Taiwan, and Thailand among others. The symptoms occurring from arsenic poison are similar if not identical to those reported in Bangladesh, but nowhere near as severe. In countries where long-term exposure to high levels of arsenic in drinking water has been documented, studies show that one in ten cases is likely to develop into cancer. Taiwan, Chile, and Argentina have all shown increases in these cases.

The Asia Arsenic Network, established in 1994, brings together professionals supporting the victims of the Toroku and Matsuo arsenic problem and aims at uniting professionals to remedy arsenic poisoning in Asian countries. Arsenic poisoning in drinking water remains a global problem. As research continues to find more advanced and practical ways of detecting contaminated water sources and remedying them, public and private health organisations must seek to implement them if the hazardous consequences of arsenic poisoning are to be avoided. If governments lack the resources to immediately provide safe water, they should facilitate the engagement of the private sector and inform potential arsenic victims of the imminent dangers of contaminated water.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS BEFORE FOR REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATION OF PEST CONTROL AGENTS

(as contained in the environmental Health Practice Regulation 2016)

EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS:
Minimum requirements to start operations includes:

i.    Knapsack Sprayer (3)

ii.   Fogging Machine (2)

iii.  Swing fog Machine (1)

iv.  PPEs  (Coveralls sets, safety boots, nose masks, safety eye googles, etc)

v.  Chemical formulations intended for use... including rat baits, rodenticide, anti snake, weed killers, and all pesticides

1.)  OFFICE AND FACILITIES LAYOUT:

i.  Adequate office space 

ii. Bath room/toilet:

iii. Cloakroom: Check to ensure there is provision for adequate cloakroom where spray men are expected to keep there clothes and other personal belongings.

iv. Adequate water supply:-  Check to see if there is adequate water supply source

v.)  Chemical storage room: This must be adequately lighted and ventilated. 
All chemicals must not be on stored on bare ground. Chemicals must be properly labeled.

vi)  Chemicals storage rooms must be out of bounds to untrained personnel and visitors.

2.)  PERSONNEL: 

Any pest control outfit to be registered shall have a minimum of 2 spray men.

Note: The head of operations of the pest control company must be registered by the Council (EHORECON)

TRAINING OF EMPLOYEES:

The registered head of the pest control outfit who may also be the lead pest control operator, shall ensure that all his/her personnel are fully briefed and trained so that they are conversant with the following: 

i. The requirements of this regulation and such other similar regulations. 

ii. Safe handling of pesticides and equipment 

iii. Safe use of Personal Protective devices such as face mask, hand gloves, eye goggles, boots, overall, nose mask, ear muffs, helmet. 

iv.  List of approved pesticides. This is very crucial such that the registered pest control outfits would be conversant with extant approved chemicals for pest control.

It is the mandatory responsibility of the Environmental Health Authority to carry out periodic training, workshops, seminars with requisite certifications etc to update all registered pest control outfits and also ensure that only approved chemicals are employed. In the same vein, the supervising environmental Health Officers must ensure that the final chemical formulations to be employed are not overly diluted and the potency not compromised during mixing.

NOTE: You may face prosecution for applying banned chemicals in your pest control practice. 

5.)  HANDLING OF PESTICIDES AND SAFETY OF SPRAY MEN:

i. In addition to provisions of section 10 of the Policy Guidelines on Pest and Vector control issued by Federal Ministry of Environment, 2005, the use of all chemical pesticides for pest control shall be done with extreme caution. 

ii. All chemicals to be used shall conform with specification as contained in section 8.3 of the Policy Guideline on Pest and Vector control issued by Federal Ministry of Environment, 2005 and in Schedule X of this regulation. 

iii. No pesticides as contained in Schedule XI of this regulation shall be used for pest control. They are banned.
 
iv. Facilities must be provided for first aid treatment of spray men and cases of accident or for prompt medical attention to a recognized hospital.

v. Spray men and the head of operation must produce medical report of fitness once every six (6) months from a recognized medical practitioners. 

vi. All equipment used for formulation of pesticides shall be properly washed and cleansed, and stored in such a way that would not constitute danger of health of the public or pets. 

DO NOT ALLOW UNTRAINED PERSONS TO ENTER CHEMICALS STORAGE ROOM OR GET INVOLVED IN THE PEST CONTROL EXCERCISE, UNLESS THEY HAVE BEEN TRAINED AND CERTIFIED.

DISPOSAL OF KILLED PEST 

i. Killed pests shall not be disposed of as part of the domestic wastes but shall be considered as special wastes and be disposed of as such. 

ii. Killed pests including rodents, cockroaches, etc shall be disposed of by burial under the ground or incinerated 

iii. Such disposal shall not be done within a distance of 30m to a source of ground or surface supply. 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF CLIENTS 

1. Owners of premises infested with pest of public health importance must report such infestation to the Environmental Health Authority.

Below are chemical formulations approved by WHO as domestic pesticides. Theses are pesticides that are recommended forresidential/office applications for best results

 

BASIC COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

THE FIVE BASIC COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH.

Each of these components gives in different pieces of information to describe various problems in Environmental health and then give out their solutions too.

The following are the Five basic components of Environmental Health:

1. Toxicology

It is a discipline of environmental health which deals with the study of how environmental exposures lead different health outcomes. It is considered as an essential component. The research is done on animals so, as to understand the possible health outcomes in humans too.

Toxicology has the advantage of doing different random, controlled experiments as they use animals as their subjects. But, yes animals and our body are different biologically so, there are chances that the results which come on animals may not be the same for humans.

2. Environmental Epidemiology

It is the study of the relationship between human health and environmental exposures like exposure to radiations, chemicals, etc. It is also an observational study which observes the vulnerabilities that people have already experienced.

They can’t knowingly put humans to exposure to such harmful things as it might be hazardous and can cause diseases. So, the experiments are kept observational.

As they can’t use live subjects so, they believe in observing the results which are already present. They want to study the effects on humans so, they don’t use animals as their subjects.

3. Exposure science

It is that discipline, which studies human exposure to environmental contaminants. It is done by both identifying the exposure and also checking it’s quantity.

Exposure science can also be used to support environmental epidemiology. It describes in brief, the environmental exposures that lead to a specific health outcome and also helps in identifying common vulnerabilities whose health results may be better understood through a toxicology study.

It can also be used in risk assessment to identify whether the current level of exposure, exceeds the recommended level or not? Exposure science has a plus point as it can accurately find out the quantity of exposures to specific chemicals. But, a drawback is that it can’t generate any information about health outcomes like the other disciplines.

4. Environmental Law

It is the law which includes the statues, network of treaties, customary and common laws and regulations regarding the effects of human activity on the natural environment. This law is made to protect our environment from the harmful external damage.

5. Environmental Engineering

It is the study of scientific and engineering principles for the protection of human populations from the adverse factors. It includes improvement of environmental quality and also the protection of our environment form dangerous effects natural and human activities.

"Environmental health" &
"Environmental protection".

These terms are very much similar to each other.

Both, Environmental health and Environmental protection are very much similar. “Environmental health” focuses on the built and natural environments for the wellness of human health. Whereas, “Environmental protection” is concerned towards saving or protecting our natural environment for the wellbeing of human health and our ecosystem.

Research in this field limits the harmful exposures with the help of natural things like soil, air food, water, etc.

BUHARI ASKS DOCTORS TO SEEK OTHER MEANS OF NEGOTIATION, NOT JUST STRIKES.

President Muhammadu Buhari in a meeting with NMA executives at the State House in Abuja on July 19, 2018.

 
President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to medical doctors to avoid going on strike but consider other means of negotiation for better working conditions.

He said this on Thursday when he received the new executive of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The President asked them to always see their profession as a divine call, especially in taking decisions that directly impact on the lives of Nigerians.

“The medical profession is regarded as a divine call because of the strategic role you play in the lives of human beings,” he said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina.

President Buhari revealed that the Federal Government was considering an upward review of budgetary allocation to the health sector, in order to improve the quality and access to medical facilities across the country.

He was hopeful that the review of the budgetary allocation would reflect the government’s priority of ensuring that Nigerians get better healthcare, especially in specialised areas.

“We place quality healthcare on our priority list, and we are already marching on with the primary healthcare services and some state governors have bought into it. We are committed to universal health care,” the President added.

He also assured the NMA leaders that the White Paper from the Ahmed Yayale-led panel report on Inter-Professional Harmony in the Healthcare Sector was already being considered by the government to ensure more organised and harmonised working relationships among medical practitioners.

President Muhammadu Buhari receiving a presentation from NMA President Dr Francis Faduyile and other members of the leadership at the State House in Abuja on July 19, 2018.

 

President Buhari commended the association and its members on some of the medical feats being achieved in Nigeria, including the separation of conjoined twins, organ transplants, heart surgeries and treatment of cancer patients.

He also informed them that the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council would soon be constituted to further enhance service delivery and regulation of the sector.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ohanire, was optimistic that a newly released basic healthcare provision would further focus on improving service delivery to Nigerians through the primary healthcare.

The NMA President, Dr Francis Adedayo, commended the President for including members of the NMA in the Federal Executive Council and assenting to the Medical Residency Training Act.

He also urged the Federal Government to improve the budgetary allocation to the health sector, as required by the Abuja Declaration which sets a benchmark of 15 per cent.

Dr Adedayo noted that the speedy processing of the Ahmed Yayale report on harmony among practitioners in the medical sector would go a long way in enhancing service delivery and better working relationships.

He hinted the President that the NMA had already reached out to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for stronger partnership in providing care for victims of disasters.

SCORES OF DEAD COWS SMUGGLED INTO RIVERS STATE FROM THE NORTH (Photos)

Some dead cows in the truck

There is growing security and environmental health concerns in Rivers state following the arrest of over 20 Northern youths who smuggled in over 50 cows, with 27 of the cows confirmed already dead, in a truck with registration number (RGM 104 XA), through Adamawa, Okigwe routes to Igwuruta in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Hon. Engr Samuel Nwanosike JP, the Executive chairman, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, swung into action by contacting Igwuruta Division of Nigerian police for immediate arrest and investigation.

Some dead cows still in the truck as at time of visit

Hon. Nwanosike also contacted Dr. Ekanam, Director Primary Health Care and Dr. Joy Wohioka, who is in charge of Health Care, Ikwerre Local government area of the state, to join force with the police for proper investigation.

The ugly development have infused palpable fear on the  residents of the LGA

Numerous Kelga residents who spoke off camera, were of the opinion that the development has political under tone and therefore called on the government not to sweep the investigation under the carpet.

Environmental Health Officers at the scene investigating 

Environmental Health Officers at the scene investigating

It was revealed that over four cows among the dead had already been distributed and sold for public consumption before the arrival of some Environmental Health Officers lead by their medical doctor heads and security agents.

The EHSadvisor has advised that proper autopsy should be carried out to ascertain the cause of death before any further action of prosecution of the culprits and subsequent sanitary disposal / destruction of the dead cows at the approved site.

Further details loading... 

ZOONOTIC DISEASE: WHAT DISEASE CAN I CATCH FROM A CAT?

SOME COMMON (PREVENTABLE) CAT DISEASES

Cat’s Common Preventable Diseases

The sad fact is that every year thousands of cats die from communicable diseases that could have been prevented, either by vaccines or by keeping them away from other cats that are potential sources of these infections. Learn more about the most virulent of these infectious cats diseases. Preventable cats diseases.

• Giardia Lamblia
• Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper)
• Bartonella henselae
• FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus         Although most feline infectious diseases only affect cats, some of these diseases can be transmitted from cats to people. Diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people are called zoonotic diseases. While not comprehensive, this article highlights the most common zoonotic diseases that may be carried by cats and simple precautions you can take to reduce your risk of contracting these diseases. For more information about specific risks, diagnosis, and treatment of zoonotic diseases, contact your physician/health professional.

WHAT'S THE RISK?

The likelihood of an average person contracting a zoonotic disease from a cat is low, but individuals with immature or weakened immune systems are more susceptible to these diseases. This includes infants, individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the elderly, and people undergoing cancer chemotherapy or receiving other drugs that may suppress their immune systems.

COMMON FELINE ZOONOTIC DISEASES

BACTERIAL INFECTIONS 

CAT SCRATCH DISEASE (CSD) is caused by a bacterium called Bartonella henselae, which may be carried in the saliva of infected cats and in the bodies of cat fleas. As the name implies, this bacterial infection is usually transmitted from cat to human via scratches, although it can also be transmitted via bite wounds and when a cat licks the open wounds of a person. Among cats, this bacterium is most commonly transmitted by the bites of infected cat fleas, and it may also be found in the feces of these fleas, which can serve as sources of infection if exposed to an open wound in either a cat or a human.

People with CSD usually develop swelling and possibly a blister at the site of the bite or scratch. Lymph nodes in the region of the wound may swell and become painful, and affected individuals may experience fever, headache, sore muscles and joints, fatigue, and poor appetite. Healthy adults generally recover with no lasting effects, but it may take several months for the disease to go away completely. People with compromised immune systems may suffer more severe consequences, including infections of the eyes, brain, and heart. Severe cases of CSD may require antibiotic therapy to resolve.

Approximately 40 percent of cats are infected with Bartonella henselae, but most show no signs of disease. Antibiotics do not reliably cure infection in these cats and are not currently recommended. For humans, avoiding scratches and bites (for example, by not allowing children to play roughly with cats), washing hands after playing with cats, controlling fleas, and keeping cats indoors all reduce the risk of CSD. Because most cases of CSD result from contact with kittens under one year of age, immunocompromised people should avoid such contact.

PASTEURELLA MULTOCIDA is a bacterium found in the mouths of between 70 and 90 percent of cats, and it has been found in between 50 and 80 percent of cat bites in humans that become serious enough to seek medical attention. Cat bites infected with this organism may develop pain, swelling, and redness at the wound site within 24 to 48 hours. Pasteurella-infected cat bite wounds are successfully treated with antibiotic therapy in the vast majority of cases, but more serious complications, such as the spread of bacteria through the blood stream and infection of heart valves, may occur in rare cases.

SALMONELLA POISONING, also called salmonellosis, is caused by a group of bacteria called Salmonella, and can lead to diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain beginning one to three days after infection. People usually contract salmonellosis by eating contaminated food, such as undercooked chicken or eggs, but it is possible to contract the disease from infected cats, which can carry Salmonella bacteria and pass them in their stool. Although salmonellosis usually resolves on its own, some individuals require medical attention to address severe diarrhea or the effects of the infection on organs other than the digestive tract.

SALMONELLA: is more commonly found in cats that feed on raw meat or wild birds and animals, so owners can reduce the risk of salmonellosis in themselves and their cats by keeping cats indoors and feeding them cooked or commercially processed food. Wearing gloves when cleaning litterboxes or gardening (in case outdoor cats have defecated in the soil) and washing hands thoroughly after these activities is also recommended.

PARASITIC  INFECTIONS

FLEAS are the most common external parasite of cats, and their bites can cause itching and inflammation in humans and cats alike. Fleas may also serve as vectors for CSD and other zoonotic diseases. Flea-infested cats may become infected with tapeworms from fleas ingested while grooming. While not common, people can also become infected with tapeworms by inadvertently ingesting fleas.

SCABIES, or infection by the mange mite Sarcoptes scabiei, is another zoonotic external parasite of the skin of cats. While not as common as flea infestations, these mites can be passed from infected cats to people, where they burrow into the skin and cause itchy, raised lesions. Treatment in people usually involves the use of topical ointments to decrease itching, diligent treatment of infective pets, and careful cleaning of clothes and bedding.

Certain feline intestinal parasites, including roundworms (Toxocara) and hookworms (Ancylostoma), can also cause disease in people. Children are particularly at risk due to their higher likelihood of contact with soil that has been contaminated by cat feces. Although most people infected with feline intestinal parasites do not show signs of illness, some people may get sick.

Visceral larva migrans, a potentially serious disease that can affect various organs, results from consumption of Toxocara eggs (for instance, when soiled fingers are placed in the mouth). Toxocara larvae may then migrate to abdominal organs, including the liver, or to the central nervous system. Symptoms of visceral larva migrans may include fever, fatigue, coughing, wheezing, and abdominal pain. Ocular larva migrans is the term used for a condition in which Toxocara larvae migrate to the eye, causing visual disturbances, abnormal eye movements, or eye pain and discomfort.

Cutaneous larva migrans, an itchy skin disease, is caused by contact with soil contaminated with Ancylostomalarvae. These larvae may penetrate and migrate under the skin, with resultant inflammation, itching and pain, and raised, red linear lesions in the skin that follow the larva’s migration. Proper hygiene, including washing hands before meals, cleaning soil from vegetables, and reducing exposure to cat feces can prevent infection. Anti-parasite medications for kittens and annual fecal exams for adult cats can reduce environmental contamination and the risk of human infection.

FUNGAL INFECTIONS

Ringworm (or dermatophytosis) is not caused by a worm at all. Rather, it is a skin infection caused by a group of fungi. Infected cats most often come from environments housing large numbers of animals. In cats, ringworm usually appears as a dry, gray, scaly patch on the skin. In humans, ringworm often appears as a round, red, itchy lesion with a ring of scale around the edge. Lesions may be found in a variety of places, including the scalp, the feet (where’s its referred to as “athlete’s foot”), the groin, or the beard. Ringworm is transmitted by contact with an infected animal’s skin or fur, either directly or from a contaminated environment. Infected cats continuously drop fungal spores from their skin and fur. These spores, which remain capable of causing infection for many months, are difficult to eradicate from a household. Children are particularly at risk of infection. Treatment involves the use of either topical antifungal ointments or oral antifungal medication, depending upon the severity and location of lesions. To reduce environmental contamination, confine infected cats to one room until they are free of infection, then thoroughly clean and disinfect the household.

PROTOZOAL INFECTIONS
Protozoans are single-celled organisms. The three most common protozoal diseases in cats and humans are cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, and toxoplasmosis.

CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS: can cause diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal cramps, and dehydration in both cats and people. Either direct or indirect contact with the feces of cats infected with Cryptosporidium organisms can lead to transmission of this disease. As with most other zoonotic diseases, immunocompromised individuals are at the greatest risk of infection. To prevent the spread of infection, schedule annual fecal examinations for your cats, and medicate infected cats as directed by your veterinarian. Other preventive measures include wearing gloves while handling feces-contaminated material and washing hands afterwards.

GIARDIASIS: This is caused by infection with the microscopic parasite Giardia. Many animal species (including the cat), are susceptible to infection with Giardia, which is passed in the feces and usually spread to other animals and humans via contaminated water sources, surfaces, or in uncooked food items. The symptoms of Giardia infection include diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal cramps, nausea, and dehydration. A number of prescription drugs are available to treat this condition, and most people that are infected make an uneventful recovery. It is important to realize that the majority of cases of giardiasis in people do not occur as a result of infection by cats, but rather by ingesting water or food contaminated by farm animals or wildlife.

TOXOPLASMOSIS is caused by the parasitic protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. People with weakened immune systems and infants whose mothers are infected during pregnancy can develop severe illness from this parasite. Most people infected with Toxoplasma, however, show no overt signs of disease.

Cats can acquire Toxoplasma by eating infected rodents, birds, or anything contaminated with feces from another infected animal. An infected cat can shed the parasite in its feces for up to two weeks. Once shed in the feces, the parasite must mature for one to five days before it becomes capable of causing infection. However, it can persist in the environment for many months and continue to contaminate soil, water, gardens, sandboxes, or any place where an infected cat has defecated. Although pregnant women or immunosuppressed individuals are often advised to remove cats from the household to reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis, direct contact with cats is very unlikely to spread infection with this organism.

Cats can transmit Toxoplasma to people through their feces, but humans most commonly become infected by eating undercooked or raw meat, or by inadvertently consuming contaminated soil on unwashed or undercooked vegetables. The symptoms of toxoplasmosis include flu-like muscle aches and fever, and headache. In rare cases, more advanced symptoms such as confusion, seizures, vomiting, or diarrhea may be observed.

Basic hygiene can prevent the spread of Toxoplasmafrom cats to humans. Wear gloves when handling potentially contaminated material (for example, when gardening or scooping the litterbox), and be sure to wash your hands afterwards. Cover children’s sandboxes when not in use to prevent wandering cats from defecating in them.

Pregnant women or immunosuppressed individuals are safest when other household members clean the litter box.

VIRAL INFECTIONS
Rabies is a viral disease that is spread through the bite of an infected animal. Although most viruses infect only their natural host species, rabies is an important exception. Cats are highly susceptible to rabies, which attacks the central nervous system, causing a variety of signs. Rabies is almost always fatal. In people, rabies infections usually occur when an infected animal bites a person. In order to protect human health, rabies vaccination of cats is required by law in many areas. Even if your cat is kept indoors, it is important to keep rabies vaccines current because cats occasionally escape outdoors, and because rabid animals such as bats and raccoons occasionally enter houses. To further reduce your risk of rabies, avoid contact with wildlife and stray animals and see a doctor immediately if you have been bitten by an animal.

Credit: Cornell Feline Health Center, New York. 

RAINSTORM KILLS ONE, DESTROYS OVER 100 HOUSES AND PROPERTIES WORTH OVER N200 MILLION IN DAURA, Katina state.

Rainstorm has reportedly caused a major wreck in Daura, Katsina. The rainstorm destroyed over hundred houses and killed a person - This is coming days after a similar incident that displaced 600 people in the town

One person has been confirmed dead and over 100 houses affected by another rainstorm on Sunday night in Daura, Katsina state which left four people hospitalised, occurred after similar incident displaced over 600 people in the area.

The latest disaster followed eight hours rain that started at about 3:30 pm on Sunday. Abubakar Mashi, Director of the Local Education and Social Services, who conducted officials of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) round the affected areas, described the damage as huge.

Mashi, who spoke on behalf of the local council chairman, said local officials were working the emergency committee to ascertain the level of damage and compile comprehensive report to the state government. He urged the victims to consider the incident as an inevitable act of God, saying “we are working towards providing temporary relief measures to the victims.”

In the same vein, Nasir Yahaya, the member representing Daura constituency in the state Assembly, who also visited some of the affected households, said he would liaise with relevant government agencies to assist the victims. Yahaya said he would shoulder the medical bills of those who sustained injuries. 

The Executive Secretary of Katsina Emergency Management Agency Dr. Aminu Waziri said from an interim evaluation, the damages caused by the wind storm recorded last week was estimated as a little over N200m.

Speaking during the presentation of relief materials to victims at Kukar Gesa, Waziri said government is working assiduously to come to the aid of the victims numbering over 1000.

He said, some of the immediate action taken included the securing of rented accommodation to about 30 families in addition to health and other social services being rendered.

He said, the agency is working round the clock to ensure the well-being of those affected.

Meanwhile, Governor Aminu Masari has paid a sympathy visit to all places affected and pledge government readiness to support those affected.

It could be recalled that the rainstorm had led to the death of 6 persons and injuring many just as over 1000 houses were destroyed.

Most affected areas are Kambarawa, Modoji, Ambassada, Kukar Gesa, Shinkafi 1 and 2, and both Military and Airforce barracks located within the state metropolis. Several schools, electrical poles and farmlands were equally destroyed.

The Executive Secretary, SEMA, Aminu Waziri, assured that the issue would be handled with utmost urgency. Some of the areas affected include, GRA, Dunu, Tsame, Kalgo and other areas in Daura.

MONTHLY SANITATION : KOGI STATE GOVT EXPRESSES SATISFACTION OVER COMPLIANCE, COMMENDS THE ARMY

Kogi Government on Saturday expressed satisfaction over the high compliance by the people and their cooperation to participate in the June sanitation exercise in the state.

The State Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr Sanusi Yahaya, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen shortly after the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Lokoja.

“This month’s sanitation exercise witnessed a high compliance than the previous ones, it is a better outing today, we thank God for what we have been able to do.

“It is going to improve as it is getting better month by month. There is no traffic jam at Nataco junction today which used to be a very sensitive spot during sanitation day,” Yahaya said.

The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Hannah Odiyo, attributed the success to the Nigerian Army’s participation in the exercise as part of activities to mark their Army Day Celebration.

According to the commissioner, the Nigerian Army is celebrating their Day, and one of the activities is to engage in the sanitation which coincided with our monthly sanitation day, so, we are happy because the army is collaborating with us.

“The monthly exercise is to actually change people’s mentality about sanitation and inculcate the habit of cleanliness into them to a point where we don’t need to compel the people to clean their environment before they do so.

“On behalf of the commissioner, and the Kogi Government, I want to express our gratitude to the army record office for coming out today to identify with us;” Odiyo said.

The Commander, Command Army Records Headquarters, Lokoja, Major Gen. Felix Agugo, told journalists that the army’s participation in sanitation exercise was just one of the activities often conducted to foster Civil-Military Cooperation.

“Today is a normal state monthly sanitation and the army are out as a way of identifying with the people of Nigeria and particularly Kogi residents to associate with the good work they are doing in keeping the environment clean.

“For people to know that we are also human beings and we also participate in human activities like cleaning the environment.

“It is for people outside to see soldiers as people who only belongs to the barracks or to the forest, but we also engender what we called “Civil-Military Cooperation.

“This is very important in our work especially the military’s involvement in operations against terrorism, militancy called ‘Internal Security Operations’, where we are conducting operations in eight of the civil authority.

“This is one of the reasons why we are getting involved and increasing our tempo in things that help the citizens; Particularly, today’s event is meant to mark the Nigerian Army Day Celebration, which is a week long celebration that is comemorated on July 7.

“We are thanking the people of Kogi, who have come out en masse to support us and identify with us and I believed it has been a successful exercise.

Agugo, however, commended Kogi Government for making that the confluence city more cleaner and tidy far more than it used to be before, saying the people in-charge were doing a good and urged them to keep it up.

Mr Solomon Nuhu Ayehu, the Deputy National President, Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN), commended the Nigerian Army for the initiative to participate in sanitation exercise, saying the collaborative efforts was worthy of commendation.

“Every society that actually need health for her people must take sanitation activities very seriously because more than 60 to 70 per cent of the disease human beings are suffering today are directly from our environment,” Ayehu said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN reports that the Nigerian Army also offered a free medical treatment for the vulnerable people in Lokoja with free drugs to mark the 2018 Army Day Celebration.

- NAN