Heatwave: Medical expert warns against overcrowding

Dr Chigozie Ubani, a medical practitioner in Umuahia, the Abia capital, has warned Nigerians to avoid overcrowding in view of the current heatwave being experienced in some parts of the country.

Ubani gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia on Monday, saying that the measure would help to reduce the risk of the spread of communicable diseases, among other infections.

The physician, who works in the Abia Government House Clinic, Umuahia, urged people to take measures to ensure adequate ventilation at home and public buildings by making sure that windows and doors were kept open.

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He said, “In this period of heat, we should allow free flow of air in our environment so as to reduce the risk of contraction of diseases and other infections associated with overcrowding.”

Ubani also called for proper waste disposal and desilting of the drains to ensure free flow of water as the rains begin to set in.

“We are now in April and the rainy season is gradually setting in. There are also diseases that are prevalent during the rainy season,” he said.

He said that the vectors, especially mosquitoes, bred and thrived in stagnant water in gutters and potholes.

“So you find out that during this period there is also a prevalence of malaria due to the increase in the number of anopheles mosquitoes,” Ubani said.

He further warned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse around residential areas to check the breeding of infectious parasites.

He advised people to maintain good hygiene in order to avoid possible outbreak of epidemic.