The mere use of ceiling or standing fan in a room is not enough a precautionary measure against contracting the Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis (CSM) disease, Alhaji Abu-Ubaida Muazu, Head of Public Health, Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, has cautioned.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Saturday, Muazu observed that a lot of people had the misconception that once their ceiling or table fans were switched on and blowing breeze in their over-crowded rooms, there was no risk of contracting CSM.
According to him, the most important factor in preventing the disease is adequate cross-ventilation, especially in rooms and enclosures occupied by many people.
“Some people mistake the use of fan as absolute preventive measure; somebody may say ‘I have a fan,’ then goes into the room, locks up the door and windows, and then goes to sleep.”
“Under such condition, there is no ventilation and the person is at risk; this is even more so if he or she is not alone in the room.”
“Same thing applies to our offices, shops and any other enclosure; proper and adequate ventilation are key to prevention of CSM,” he said.
He therefore advised people to take appropriate steps, especially at night, warning that CSM spread very fast
Source: NAN
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