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Home Columnists

Can The World Prevent Another Zoonotic Pandemic?

Next Edition by Next Edition
July 22, 2020
in Columnists
Can The World Prevent Another Zoonotic Pandemic?

ADEZE OJUKWU

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The likelihood of another pandemic looms large.

Top scientists harp on this inevitability.

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But can the world prevent another health disaster, or combat its humongous toll?

This is the challenge confronting many world leaders and researchers, as incidences of vector-borne pathogens continue to escalate and threaten society.

Sadly, several countries are still grappling with coronavirus, which has wrecked millions of lives and businesses, while exacerbating fears, over the possibility of another animal-linked epidemic.

The exigency, is quite petrifying, due to the incalculable impact of the humanitarian crises, economic uncertainties and dilapidated health systems in Nigeria and other disadvantaged jurisdictions.

Queries over what to eat, drink or even where to go, dominate the media and public discourses.

Should I stop eating meat?

How can I survive on a vegetarian diet?

What happens to my pets?

Should I throw them away?

My passion for hunting is being stalled. What should I do?

How can I curb my demand for exotic meat and such delicacies?

These are few posers popping up, in private and public settings.

The current abnormalities, have undoubtedly, provoked more questions than answers.

Emerging scientific findings attribute the unfortunate occurrences to environmental disruptions.

Africa seems hardest hit, with the resurgence of Ebola in Congo and Lassa fever in Nigeria.

According to Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), risk communications and community engagement activities were scaled-up recently, following significant increase in cases across states, compared to last year.

‘This year alone, 218 deaths have been reported with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 20.8 percent, which is lower than 22.5 percent, recorded in 2019.’

According to the agency, 27 States, reported, at least one confirmed case, across 129 Local Government Areas (LGAs), this year.

‘Of all confirmed cases, Ondo recorded 33 percent, followed by Edo with 32 percent and Ebonyi at 7 percent.’

Nigeria and sister nations have witnessed some successes in curbing animal-borne infections.

However, governments need to improve current strategies, due to vulnerabilities in the region.

Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Inger Andersen, said ‘African countries, have successfully managed deadly zoonotic outbreaks and have the potential to leverage this experience to tackle future outbreaks, through approaches that incorporate human, animal and environmental health.’

Inger, who stated this in a statement, said the region’s vast biodiversity, predisposes it to risks.

‘The continent is home to a large portion of the world’s remaining intact rainforests and other wild lands. Africa is also home to the world’s fastest-growing human population, leading to an increase in encounters between livestock and wildlife and in turn, the risk of zoonotic diseases.’

Director General of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Jimmy Smith, said ‘the situation on the continent today is ripe for intensifying existing zoonotic diseases and facilitating the emergence and spread of new ones.’

‘But with their experiences with Ebola and other emerging diseases, African countries are demonstrating proactive ways to manage disease outbreaks. They are applying, novel risk-based rather than rule-based approaches to disease control, which are best suited to resource-poor settings. They are joining up human, animal and environment expertise in proactive One Health initiatives.’

The rising trend, according to UNEP chief, is driven by the degradation of our natural environment, through land degradation, wildlife exploitation, resource extraction, climate change, and other stresses.

‘COVID-19 is just one example of such incidences, from Ebola to MERS to West Nile and Rift Valley fevers, caused by viruses that have jumped from animal hosts into the human population,’ he added.

A new report has warned that ‘further outbreaks will emerge, unless governments take active measures to prevent other zoonotic diseases from crossing into the human population, and set out 10 recommendations to prevent future pandemics.’

The report, Preventing the Next Pandemic: Zoonotic diseases and how to break the chain of transmission, a joint effort by UNEP and ILRI, identified major causes as ‘increased demand for animal protein, a rise in intense and unsustainable farming, increased use and exploitation of wildlife and climate crisis.’

‘Africa in particular, which has experienced and responded to a number of zoonotic epidemics including Ebola outbreaks, could be a source of important solutions to quell future outbreaks,’ it noted.

‘UNEP chief said science has clearly shown that ‘if we keep exploiting wildlife and destroying our ecosystems, then we can expect to see a steady stream of these diseases jumping from animals to humans in the years ahead,’

‘Pandemics are devastating to our lives and our economies, and as we have seen over the past months, it is the poorest and the most vulnerable who suffer the most. To prevent future outbreaks, we must become much more deliberate about protecting our natural environment,’ he advised.

The authors advocated for ‘a One Health approach, which unites public health, veterinary and environmental expertise, as the optimal method to tackle such infestations.

Primarily, ‘a zoonotic disease or ‘zoonosis’ is a disease that has passed into the human population from an animal source. COVID-19, which has already caused more than half a million deaths around the world, most likely originated in bats. But COVID-19 is only the latest in a growing number of diseases, including Ebola, MERS, West Nile fever and Rift Valley fever, whose spread from animal hosts into human populations has been intensified by anthropogenic pressures.’

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‘Every year, some two million people, mostly in low- and middle-income countries, die from neglected zoonotic diseases. The same outbreaks can cause severe illness, deaths, and productivity losses among livestock populations in the developing world, a major problem that keeps hundreds of millions of small-scale farmers in severe poverty. In the last two decades alone, zoonotic diseases have caused economic losses of more than $100 billion, not including the cost of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is expected to reach $9 trillion over the next few years.’

They highlighted 10 practical steps to avert future zoonotic outbreaks, notably, investing in interdisciplinary approaches, expanding scientific enquiry into zoonotic diseases and improving cost-benefit analyses of interventions.

Others are raising awareness of zoonotic diseases, strengthening monitoring and regulation practices, including food systems and incentivizing sustainable land management practices and developing alternatives for food security and livelihoods that do not rely on the destruction of habitats and biodiversity.

Governments should also improve biosecurity and control, identify key drivers of emerging diseases in animal husbandry and encourage proven management and zoonotic disease control measures, support the sustainable management of landscapes and seascapes.

According to the scientists, these natural resources enhance sustainable co-existence of agriculture and wildlife.

Authorities should also strengthen capacities among health stakeholders, as well as operationalize the One Health approach in land-use and sustainable development planning, implementation and monitoring, to effectively curb these viruses.

The report was launched on World Zoonoses Day, observed by research institutions and nongovernmental entities on July 6, to commemorate the work of French biologist Louis Pasteur.

Recall that Pasteur successfully administered the first vaccine against rabies, a zoonotic disease on July 6 1885.

Zoonotic diseases, also known as zoonoses, include ‘HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Lyme disease, malaria, rabies, West Nile virus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and the novel coronavirus.’

Animals that are more likely to harbour pathogens, include rodents, bats, and non-human primates, as well as economically important livestock notably pigs, cows and chickens.

‘The last 100 years have seen massive increases in human populations, resulting in massive decreases in natural environments. These two parallel trends are critical parts of the complex chain of events that have triggered a rise in the emergence and spread of new zoonoses, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.’

.Ojukwu is a journalist and Fellow of Hubert H Humphrey Fellowship.

Kindly send feedback to [email protected]

Tags: Can The World Prevent Another Zoonotic Pandemic?COLUMNISTFellow of Hubert H. Humphrey FellowshipJournalistpandemic
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Fwd: SPORTS FLAKES. THE NEXT EDITION. FRIDAY V victoria ibanga to me, chinwe 6 hours agoDetails Pls publish. > > SPORTS FLAKES : OKALA : CONQUEROR AND EMPEROR OF CAMEROUN Byline: Emeka Obasi Category: SPORTS Picture: Emeka Obasi > > Camerounians will live to remember Emmanuel Anthony Oguejiofo Okala as one goalkeeper that made them cry severally and remained shoulders above their soccer teams. Only once did the legend lose to Cameroun and it was after full and extra time. Before that stain, he tormented the Indomitable Lions in Yaoundé, stopped Canon Sportif in Lagos and dismissed Tonnerre Kalara in Calabar. > > Okala's first encounter with the Indomitable Lions was in a 1974 Yaoundé friendly. The Green Eagles defeated their hosts 1-0. Other members of the Nigerian squad included Harrison Mecha, Nathaniel Adewale, Christian Chukwu, Idowu Otubusin, Musa, Philip Boamah, Kenneth Olayombo and Mohammed Lawal. The rest were John Nwadioha, Haruna Ilerika and substitutes, Mike Okotie, Jossy Dombraye and Yakubu Mambo. > > The Camerounian strike force of Roger Milla, Eugene Ekoule, Djombi, and Ama found it most difficult to put the ball past Okala. Even when Doumbe Leah, Bahoken and Machongo joined the attack from the rear, the Nigerian keeper was unbeatable. The introduction of Gregoire Arantes Mbida made no difference. The only goal conceded was by Keeper Mballa. > > At the Algiers '78 All Africa Games, the Lions were in the same Group B with Eagles. Okala was in goal again and the Camerounians needed a win to qualify for the semi-finals. They remembered that Nigeria were defending champions and Okala was in the team that won gold at the Lagos '73 All Africa Games. The game ended goalless. Nigeria later advanced to the grand finale losing narrowly to hosts Algeria. > > The 1978 encounter came a year after Okala had turned Camerounians into day dreamers. On April 16, 1977, the first international match at the new Calabar Stadium was between Tonnerre Kalara of Yaoundé and Enugu Rangers. Tonnerre had won the first Africa Winners Cup in 1975 but lost it to Shooting Stars, Ibadan in 1976. They came with Roger Milla. The Flying Antelopes gave them a 5-1 drubbing as Okala's face seemed to put Milla in a deep blue funk. > > Later in the year, another Yaoundé side, Canon Sportif, confronted Rangers in the finals of the third Africa Winners Cup. That was the top club in Cameroun at the time and had won the Africa Cup for Champion Clubs [today's CAF Champions' League] in 1971. > > The first leg was decided in Lagos. Rangers were merciless, trouncing the visitors 4-1. Their goalkeeper was Thomas Nkono. He was forced to visit the net so often as his defence succumbed to the fire power of the Flying Antelopes. With Sam Onyeaka, Nwachukwu Onyekwelu, Chimezie Ngadi, Aloy Atuegbu and Emma Merenini in top shape, Okala had little to worry about. > > The return leg at the Stade Omnisport, Yaoundé was billed for December 4, 1977. Canon were so sure the first leg advantage would be erased. After all, they were not Tonnerre who could not cancel the same margin when they fell to Shooting Stars in 1976. Canon meant firepower, yes, it was 'Canon Kpakum'.They apparently did not know that Rangers had many ex -Biafran soldiers. Coach Godwin Achebe, the 'Ide' himself was even an Instructor at the Biafran School of Infantry. > > Canon started well and were leading with a goal when the referee called off the match. There was down pour, the field was turning into a swimming pool. The fans were not happy that the rain gave the visitors a breather. The match officials knew that if they allowed the game to continue, it could only pass for a water polo match. Both teams were asked to come back in 24 hours. > > The hosts still bubbled with confidence. Canon had scored 18 goals in six matches on the way to the finals. They gained a walk over against Red Star of Congo in the first round. Rangers had played eight games and could boast of nine goals. Canon did not score less than two goals in Yaoundé. They defeated SC Bissau 7-1, silenced Kadiogo 4-1 and hit El Itihad 2-0. > > Achebe stuck to his formation of Okala in goal with Charles Adimora, Nnamdi Anyafo, Vincent Chika, Christian Chukwu and Ignatius Ilechukwu as defenders. In the mid field, he opted for Aloy Atuegbu, Christian Madu and Ogidi Ibeabuchi. Sam Onyeaka and Nwachukwu Onyekwelu were attacking. Francis Nwosu later came in for Chika while Emma Merenini replaced Onyeaka. > > Canon , founded, in 1930 were 40 years older than Rangers. The opposition could not escape defeat, so the Camerounians thought. Onyekwelu had scored in the Lagos first leg. Known as 'Igariga' he was huge and powerful. While the hosts were settling down, the bulky attacker fired a shot from close to the center circle. Nkono did not see it. He heard his net shake. Canon got one goal too. > > Then it became tough. Okala refused to be beaten. Mbida tried his best. Jeane Manga Onguene put in everything. The goals were denied by the giant between the Flying Antelopes' post. Theophile Abega, the 'Doctor' could not sedate Okala. They found him a hard nut to crack. Yaoundé fans thought there must be something about the Nigerian keeper. The match ended 1-1, Rangers lifted the Cup. > > Canon could not bear that loss. They claimed that Rangers would not have won if there was no Okala. It became a big issue. Cameounians swore that Okala was a Camerounian who chose to play in Nigeria and they were ready to bring him back to their country to man the posts.. > > Blaming them was not the best way out. There are Okalas in Cameroun. The first Foreign Minister of Independent Cameroun was Charles Rene-Guy Okala. He was Ahmadu Ahidjo's man and best remembered as the man who stood up at the United Nations in 1961 to speak against British Northern Cameroun [Adamawa Province] joining Nigeria. Like Emma Okala, Charles Okala was a Roman Catholic. > > His daughter, Nicole Okala Bilai, is the first Camerounian woman to lead a political party and she is today, a Senator. The lady has gone round jobs, from acting to modeling. Like Emma Okala , she was born in May. > > Okala is also the name of a town in Cameroun. It is in the Centre Region. One of their famous footballers, Elie Onana Eloundou was born there. There was also President of that country's Table Tennis Federation, a man known as D. Okala. Many were convinced that the man who punished Canon was indeed one of them, the defeat was that painful. > > Okala returned to Yaoundé with Rangers in 1978. It was the semi finals of the prestige Africa Cup of Champion Clubs and foes were Canon. It ended goalless in the Lagos first leg. In Yaoundé there was heavy rain again but the referee refused to stop the match, another barren draw. Both teams went into penalty kicks. Canon won 6-5. That was the only time the Camerounians enjoyed a better hand. > > With Okala out of the way, Canon were unstoppable. They won the CAF Champions League in 1978, lifted the Africa Winners Cup in 1979 and grabbed the CAF Champions League again in 1980. > > Okala must have had a good laugh. One of his younger brothers is Charles, but did not last long in soccer as a goalie. Patrick was going to step into his brother's shoes. He played in the grand finale of the Cote D'Ivoire '84 Africa Nations Cup. Nigeria lost 3-1 to Cameroun. At last Milla and Abega had beaten Okala but not Emmanuel. In 1988 and again in 2000, the Indomitable Lions defeated Eagles to win the Nations Cup. > > Emma Okala put Cameroun in his gloves all through his playing career. He was voted African Footballer of the Year by African Sports Journalists Union in 1978. Okala conquered Cameroun. When he quit, Nkono heaved a whiff of fresh air and attended three World Cups.

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