Health
DRC Ebola cases rise to 1,274, 96 health workers infected
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) says the worsening Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reached 1,274 confirmed cases.
The agency also said infections among healthcare workers have risen to 96.
Wazih Cho, Data Analyst and Epidemic Intelligence Officer at Africa CDC, disclosed this on Monday during a webinar on the Ebola outbreak.
“In the past 24 hours, 47 new confirmed Ebola cases and 12 deaths were reported in the DRC, 96 per cent of which originated in Équateur Province,” he said.
“Cumulative figures now stand at 1,274 confirmed cases with 360 deaths, indicating sustained transmission at the provincial level.”
He said Équateur Province accounted for 45 of the 47 new cases reported, making it the leading hotspot of transmission on the continent.
Mr Cho attributed the spread partly to exposure in health facilities, noting that 92 healthcare workers had been infected in the DRC and four in Uganda, bringing the total to 96.
According to him, confirmed cases have now been reported in 35 health zones across the DRC, indicating widespread transmission beyond the initial epicentre.
“For Uganda, cumulatively we have 20 confirmed cases, mostly spillover from DRC. That includes 15 imported cases, four healthcare worker infections, and two fatalities.
“All Uganda cases are classified under Kampala. Contact follow-up in Uganda stands at 100 per cent, with only nine contacts still under active monitoring. Case fatality in Uganda as of day 27 is 10 per cent,” he said.
Mr Cho said Uganda had recorded no new Ebola case since 21 June, although active surveillance remained in place.
More cases
He added that 23 of the 36 health areas in Équateur Province had confirmed cases, confirming sustained community transmission within the province.
According to him, North Kivu, which borders Équateur and Uganda, is also reporting cases, while South Kivu has recorded no new infections for at least 30 days after reporting three cases.
Mr Cho added that Africa CDC also received alerts on 28 June from Tshopo Province, which borders Ituri Province and South Sudan.
He said two confirmed male cases recorded between 9 June and 23 June suggested the outbreak had spread into a previously unaffected province.
According to Cho, the epidemic curve indicates that the first positive case was detected late, after community transmission had already begun.
He said seven-day and three-day moving averages showed the outbreak remained at or near peak transmission, with modelling projecting additional case increases over the next three weeks.
Mr Cho added that a small number of health zones accounted for about 80 per cent of confirmed cases, while several treatment centres were operating above capacity.
He said more than 20,000 community health workers had been mobilised to strengthen case detection, contact tracing and community sensitisation efforts.
In his remark, Oyewale Tomori, former President of the Nigeria Academy of Science, commended Africa CDC and the World Health Organisation (WHO) for working collaboratively in responding to the outbreak.
Mr Tomori described the One Health approach as an integrated strategy recognising the close links between human, animal and environmental health.
He said that about 70 per cent of emerging infectious diseases were zoonotic, spreading from animals to humans.
READ ALSO: Nigeria responds with emergency funds as Ebola death toll rises in DRC
“Ebola, SARS, and other viruses reflect this animal-human interface, with diverse modes of transmission and host species,” he said.
Mr Tomori identified deforestation, urban expansion, mining, conflict-driven migration, bushmeat trade, climate change and weak public health systems as major drivers of emerging infectious diseases.
He emphasised that stronger surveillance, early detection and coordinated response systems were essential to preventing and containing outbreaks before they escalated.
Mr Tomori said One Health required veterinarians, physicians, social scientists, engineers and economists to work together to achieve effective outbreak prevention and response.
(NAN)
A Consultant Gynaecologist and Chief Executive Officer of Nordica Fertility Centre, Victor Ajayi, has said only one in four men currently has optimal semen quality, citing research that points to a steady decline in male fertility over recent decades.
Mr Ajayi made the remark during a webinar organised by the fertility centre on Saturday. The webinar was themed “The Forgotten Men: Conversation on Infertility.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fertility specialist cited a 2012 study which found that only about 25 per cent of men had semen quality considered optimal for natural conception.
He said periodic studies by the World Health Organisation (WHO) have also shown a global decline in male reproductive potential, with sperm counts falling by more than 50 per cent over the past five decades.
According to him, only a small proportion of men now produce the minimum sperm concentration considered adequate for natural conception, compared to the much higher sperm counts commonly recorded decades ago.
Mr Ajayi warned that if the trend continues, it could have serious implications for human reproduction.
Causes of declining sperm quality
He attributed the decline to obesity, unhealthy lifestyles, sperm DNA fragmentation, prolonged exposure of the testes to heat, psychological factors and other underlying medical conditions.
The fertility specialist also challenged the widespread belief that infertility is primarily a woman’s problem.
He said that infertility had been culturally and socially framed as a female problem, leaving women to bear stigma, undergo investigations and shoulder emotional burdens.
He noted that male infertility remained largely overlooked in spite of evidence showing that men contributed significantly to infertility cases.
“It is time to bring men into the conversation about reproductive health, not as bystanders, but as equal participants whose fertility matters,” he said.
The fertility specialist said many of the factors affecting sperm quality were preventable and could be addressed through sustained lifestyle changes.
He called for increased public awareness, early intervention and proper counselling to address male infertility and encourage shared responsibility in reproductive health.
Also speaking, Pilot Gbolahan, Clinical Psychologist at Nordica Fertility Centre, said men rarely displayed their emotional problems.
Mr Gbolahan noted that many men were emotionally distant while suffering from depression caused by infertility and equally avoided therapy.
“Infertility is a medical condition not a reflection of masculinity or strength.
“Male factors contribute to 50 per cent of infertility cases, yet many men delay in seeking fertility evaluation.
“Breaking the silence is the first step towards finding a solution”, he said.
ALSO READ: Nigeria’s fertility rate drops to 4.8 children per woman — NDHS
The psychologist said early assessment could make a significant difference. He advocated for routine psychological services within fertility clinics and reproductive healthcare settings across Nigeria.
Jesse Atongo, Consultant Gynecologist, Nordica Fertility Centre, added that many men equated sexual function to reproductive capacity.
Mr Atongo stated that infertility could be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination and semen analysis.
The gynaecologist noted that male infertility treatment was individualised based on the identified etiology, severity of sperm impairment and the couple’s overall fertility profile.
According to him, infertility could be managed through medications, surgery and assisted reproduction. He encouraged men to eschew illicit substances, excessive heat, alongside alcohol, and maintain a healthy weight and safe sex.
(NAN)
The thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped organ located at the front of the neck, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, heart rate and body temperature.
Yet thyroid disorders often go undetected, especially among women, whose symptoms are frequently mistaken for stress, ageing or normal hormonal changes.
Speaking with PT Health Watch, reproductive endocrinologist Oladapo Ashiru said women are far more likely than men to develop thyroid disorders, citing Nigerian studies that reported female-to-male ratios ranging from 6.3:1 to as high as 98:1.
According to Mr Ashiru, recognising the warning signs early is important because untreated thyroid disorders can affect fertility, pregnancy and overall quality of life.
Symptoms often overlooked
Mr Ashiru explained that thyroid disorders generally occur in two forms: hypothyroidism, where the gland is underactive, and hyperthyroidism, where it is overactive.
An underactive thyroid commonly causes unexplained weight gain, sensitivity to cold and hair thinning, while an overactive thyroid may lead to unexplained weight loss, heat intolerance and a faster metabolism.
“If the thyroid is underactive, there will be increased weight or unexplained weight gain. If it is overactive, there will be unexplained weight loss. The person may feel too cold in a normal environment if it is underactive, or too hot in a cool environment if it is overactive,” he said.
Beyond these symptoms, women may experience irregular menstrual cycles, mood changes, anxiety, depression, constipation or frequent bowel movements.
Mr Ashiru, who is the Chairman and Chief Medical Director of Medical Art Centre, said women are also more likely to experience neck tightness caused by an enlarged thyroid gland, excessive tearing and persistent symptoms even after treatment.
By contrast, men more commonly present with heart palpitations.
He explained that because many thyroid symptoms resemble those associated with stress, menopause and other everyday conditions, thyroid disorders in women are often overlooked or diagnosed late.
Effects on fertility and pregnancy
Mr Ashiru said women between the ages of 30 and 49 face the highest risk of thyroid disorders, although younger women can also be affected.
He warned that untreated thyroid disease can interfere with ovulation, increase menstrual bleeding, raise the risk of miscarriage and contribute to complications after childbirth.
Women planning pregnancy, he advised, should consider thyroid screening to detect and treat any underlying condition before conception.
The endocrinologist also highlighted postpartum thyroiditis, an inflammation of the thyroid gland that can occur after childbirth.
According to him, new mothers should not dismiss persistent exhaustion as simply part of caring for a newborn, as it may signal an underlying thyroid disorder.
Screening and healthy habits
Mr Ashiru said thyroid disorders can be diagnosed through simple hormone tests available in many Nigerian hospitals and laboratories.
He recommended routine screening, particularly for women aged 35 years and above, pregnant women and people with a family history of thyroid disease.
Although some thyroid conditions are hereditary, he said healthy lifestyle habits may help support thyroid function.
These include getting adequate sleep, managing stress, eating a balanced diet with appropriate amounts of iodine and selenium-rich foods such as eggs, fish and beans, and engaging in regular physical activity.
He also encouraged stress management through family support, prayer and relaxation techniques, including deep-breathing exercises.
Some of his recommendations, including limiting processed foods, genetically modified foods and environmental toxins, reflect his clinical opinion on factors that may influence thyroid health.
READ ALSO: PT Health Watch: Persistent fatigue, weight changes may signal thyroid disorder Expert
Early diagnosis improves outcomes
Mr Ashiru said treatment depends on the type of thyroid disorder, with many patients responding well to thyroid hormone replacement therapy or other appropriate medications.
He stressed that early diagnosis remains the most effective way to prevent complications and improve quality of life.
Describing the thyroid as a vital organ, he said it regulates reproductive hormones and supports the proper functioning of the heart, skin and other body systems.
He also warned that exposure to environmental toxins may affect thyroid function and urged people to minimise avoidable environmental risks.
