Johnson OE and Ijezie AE
The scourge of EVD in the West African Sub region is the world’s worst Ebola outbreak recorded in history to date. The epidemic has negatively impacted on the lives and livelihood of people in the affected countries. This paper aims at using the inci dence of Ebola to reinforce the need for improved personal and environmental hygiene among individuals and populations in order to reduce the spread of such diseases, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. The spread of EVD and other communicable diseases can be highly minimized by simply taking st eps to improve hygiene practices. It is also pertinent to review certain traditional practices which are hazardous to human health and wellbeing in order to ensure a healthier population. Communiti es need to be sensitized on the importance of avoiding traditional burial rites that include washing and touching of the deceased as this role should be left to those trained and equipped to do so. With adequate attention given to personal and environmental hygiene, the impact of the scourge would be highly reduced.
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