Abuja: 13 people died of food poisioning>>>>>

According to the report in Abuja, Rilwanu Muhammad, the Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Health Care Development Board has stated that 13 people died while 10 others had survived the contamination by clostridium perfringes. He told the news men on Friday. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Mr Muhammad said that the disease broke out on Feb. 18 in Saburi community, Gwagwa ward of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). 

The board had earlier suspected typhoid fever or shigella dysentery as the cause of the mysterious deaths in the community but has identified the real cause through a blood sampling test they carried out on the infected person by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
They also conducted a sampling test on the water from the well as wall as three boreholes, however, the result showed the presence of a bacterium known as  clostridium perfringes.

He said clostridium perfringes is a bacterium which occurs in the soil, contaminates food and the intestinal track of human beings.

 He pointed out that the bacterium causes food poisoning and the incubation period is between four and 24 hours.

"The bacteria tend to cause fever, abdominal pains and diarrhoea.

"Clostridium has a lot of toxin, that is why it easily causes a lot of death, especially to the malnourished people," he said. he has assured that the board in conjunction with the FCT Department of Public Health, had brought the outbreak under control. he also revealed that the  affected persons have being provided with drugs. 

Mr. Muhammad stated to the News men that  board had embarked on massive health education in the community to enlighten people on sanitation and the need for personal hygiene as a lasting solution to the problem while urging AMAC and FCT Administration to provide safe and clean water for the community.

Soap and water or Sanitizer:Which is the best option>>>>>

>>>>>Many feel that sanitizer can actually remove germs the way soap does,the truth is that they reduce the effect of the germ temporarily.>>>Though sanitizers are preferred by some people for some reasons,washing hands with soap and water is the best way to remove the number of germs on them.>>>Hand sanitizers  contain about 60% alcohol and as such can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but they do not eliminate all types of germs, however, it is not effective when the hands are heavily contaminated with dirt, blood, or other organic materials.>>>Soap and water is preferred because of the slippery nature of soap and the water help to easily remove them.Soaps create a slippery surface that allows the organisms to "slide off".

HOW OFTEN DO YOU WASH YOUR HANDS??

Hand washing has become the acceptable way of reducing transmission of micro-organisms, according to a study in the archives of medicine. Keeping  the hands clean is one of the most important steps taken  to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.

The spread of germs between humans can occur directly through hands, or indirectly through an environmental sources by having contact with them. However, hand washing is not a very common practice as people neglect the effect of washing hand. 

The practice of hand washing is one of the effective ways to prevent disease and the spread of germs. The spread of many diseases and conditions can be controlled by hand washing practice. According to CDC centers for the disease control, washing of hand is of great significance in preventing gerrms from spreading. The world health Organization estimated 50% reduction in death caused by diarrhea through washing of hands with water and soap. A London base researchers noted that proper washing of hands as a normal routin could prevent millions of death in a year.

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to reduce the number of germs on them in most situations. The hand is the medium through which germs enter into the body. 

Good hand washing techniques include using an adequate amount of soap, rubbing the hands together to create friction, and rinsing under running water. The use of gloves is not a substitute for hand washing.  and When soap and water are not available, it isu advisable to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

 Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs, however, it is not effective when the hands are heavily contaminated with dirt, blood, or other organic materials.

Soaps create a slippery surface that allows the organisms to "slide off".

WHEN TO WASH TOUR HANDS:

Before and after treating a cut or wound

  After using the toilet

  After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet

  After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

  After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste

  After handling pet food or pet treats

After touching garbage.

Before and after eating food 

After doing work.

In the hospital,after handling a patient.

After handling blood related issue.

WHY SHOULD YOU WASH YOUR HANDS

To Avoid spread of disease.

To remove the dirt in your hand

To get your hand fresh again after engaging in a work.

It is very good to adopt the practice of washing hands.

The practice of hand washing with soap and water can promote general health of an individual through reduced spread of diseases. Recently,experts suggest that washing hands may help in elimination of  Ebola disease. 

The practice of hand washing should be considered important in promoting and maintaining health. Cdc in their website agreed that keeping the hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others, thus they  It also recommends washing of hand with soap and water for atleast 15 seconds. 

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Sources: cdc.gov /whywas your hands?

                Archivesofmedicine.com/a study to                  acertain the practice of hand

                hygiene among medical students 

                 in Dominica.