The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on Tuesday advised victims of the Ebola Virus Disease to seek early treatment as it could increase their chances of survival.
Grev Hunt, the Sub-Regional Coordinator on Ebola, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on the sidelines of the Forum on Ebola Communication and Prevention in Dakar, Senegal.
Hunt said that seeking early treatment for the disease could prevent further spread of the virus.
He said: “Once everyone in the population knows how to protect themselves, their family and their communities, then they can make sure they do not become infected.
“If they do become infected or if they know a neighbour who has become infected, then the key message for them to communicate is seek early treatment.
“If you seek early treatment, it increases your chances of survival.
“If you do like the traditional method with most diseases you stay at home, your chances out of 10 to survive is only one.
“If you tell your neighbour or your family or your relatives to go for early treatment, then your chances of survival can be out of 10 people six will survive and those chances are so much better.”
According to the coordinator, when an infected individual seeks medical attention immediately, appropriate measures would be taken to ensure the person’s survival.
Hunt said: “That is why we have this message.
“A simple message can reach everybody so that they know what the risks are.”
Hunt urged everyone infected to seek immediate medical attention in order to be rid of the disease.
On his part, Nwapka Nwakpa, the Head of Communication of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, advised victims of the disease not to go into hiding once they were infected as it would endanger the lives of innocent people.
Nwakpa said: “When you have a contact with somebody that is affected by the Ebola Virus Disease, instead of going into hiding or seeking private treatment, the best thing to do is to report to the nearest government facility.”