New Variant of COVID-19: NOA Begins Sensitization, Calls for Use of Nose Masks in Public Places
By: Olufemi Orunsola
The National Orientation Agency, NOA, Akwa Ibom State, has commenced sensitization against the new variant of COVID-19 known as Human Metapneumovirus, HMPV, a respiratory virus.
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News gathered that the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged that citizens should always wear nose masks, especially in crowded places, to avoid contracting or transmitting the virus.
In a statement by the State Director, NOA, in Akwa Ibom, Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, mid week,, HMPV was described as having flu-like symptoms that particularly affect children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
He further explained that other symptoms of the virus could include: cough, fever, nasal congestion, sore throat, shortness of breath, wheezing (in severe cases), pneumonia in children, and the worsening of chronic conditions like asthma in adults, urging people to avoid direct contact with contaminated surfaces.
Mkpoutom also emohasized that the virus can be transmitted through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing.
In his words, “We wish to use this medium, in line with our mandate, to advise citizens to always use nose masks, especially in crowded places and airport premises, practice good hand hygiene, avoid close contact with sick persons, and ensure vaccinations for other preventable respiratory diseases like influenza and COVID-19."
The National Orientation officer while stressing that there is no known cure yet for HMPV, advised citizens to observe NCDC protocols as recently directed to curb the spread of the deadly disease in Nigeria.
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