The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has alerted Nigerians on the need to raise their guard against another outbreak of Lassa fever and Ebola.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Monday, Dr Tunde Olawepo, Chairman of the association in Kwara State, warned the country not to let down its guard against the deadly viruses.

He noted that the government and people had relaxed measures that were initiated to contain the spread of Ebola at its outbreak in 2013.

According to him, surveillance of travelers entering the country had stopped just as people had relaxed with personal hygiene such as regular washing of hands and use of sanitisers.

He said: “People have stopped using hand sanitisers and frequent hand washing as before.

“We need to step up with preventive measures and this means people must keep up with hygiene at all times.”

The physician warned that if these measures were not sustained, these contagious diseases could resurface.

The NMA state Chairman also advocated psychological examination of people aspiring to hold sensitive government positions.

He explained that psychopaths abound in the society who appeared to be normal, but required psychological examination to confirm the true state of their health.

“Predicting signs of abnormality in people assigned with taking decisions that affect the country is a duty of the government,” he stated.

Olawepo also urged Nigerians to be whistle-blowers against those who abuse hard drugs before driving as to promote a healthy society. (NAN)

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