Zika Virus: Experts push for vector control, effective surveillance
To avert possible local transmission of Zika virus in areas where Aedes mosquitoes are more active, the Federal Government has been urged to institute proper vector control and effective surveillance throughout the Federation. Making the call during a special presentation on Zika virus in Lagos, the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) Prof. Innocent Ujah, said although a serological study carried out on Nigeria showed that 40 per cent of the urban population had neutralising antibodies to Zika virus there is need for an informed policy to combat any disease outbreak. According to Ujah, even if one person dies of the virus, it is significant to the country as efforts should not be about statistics but human beings. He stressed the need for government to identify areas of high risk and put vector surveillance measures in place. “The virus is contracted from Aedes aegypty mosquitoes and there is need for Nigerians to maintain healthy en