Monday 20 March 2017

Nigerians may experience above danger heat stress – NiMet

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has predicted that
many Nigerians would likely experience “ above danger heat
stress” this year due to the combination of heat and
humidity.

NiMet , in its 2017 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction , said that
heat for too long could cause heat stress which may , in
turn , lead to several illnesses collectively called
“ hyperthermia ” .

The agency warned that older people could have a tough
time dealing with heat and humidity, as most people who
dies from hyperthermia globally each year were over 50 .

NiMet highlighted some of the heat related complications to
include heat syncope , heat cramps , heat edema , heat
exhaustion and heat stroke , adding that Nigerians were no
exception .

According to the agency , heat syncope is a sudden dizziness
that can happen when one is active outdoors in hot weather .

“ Heat cramps are the painful tightening of muscles in your
stomach , arms or legs which can result from hard work .

“ Heat exhaustion is a warning that your body can no longer
keep itself cool as people might feel thirsty , dizzy, weak,
uncoordinated and nauseated accompanied by lots of
sweating.

“ Heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke where people
need to get medical help right away.

“ Older people and people who become dehydrated or those
with chronic diseases or alcoholism are at most risk, ’’ NiMet
warned .

On malaria , NiMet said it had continued to make the
forecast to sensitise citizens, advising the health sector to be
better prepared to deal with the deadly disease .

The report said that ` plasmodium falciparum ’, a protozoan
parasite that causes malaria found in Nigeria was the most
dangerous of the malaria parasites.

According to NiMet , the process of mosquito birth and bites
is directly influenced by rainfall , temperature and humidity
that give rise to differences in stability of disease
transmission and seasonal variations .

“ In 2017 , locations including Benin City and to its north are
likely to experience high to extreme mosquito population
throughout the year .

“ To the north of Benin City, risk in mosquito population is
expected to grow with rainy season months .

“ In 2017 , we expect lowest mosquito population risk
occurring in areas north of Yelwa, Zaria, Bauchi and Yola
axis .

“ NiMet hopes to develop a partnership with health sector
and others involved in malaria control through partnership
on data collection on mosquito population and infected
population to improve its malaria forecast model, ’’ it said.

NiMet predicted that neutral El -Nino Southern Oscillation –
variation in winds and sea surface temperatures phase, was
most likely to dominate the January to June weather system
across the country in 2017 .

It said that the ENSO phase was expected to give way to a
dominant El-Nino phase through the end of the year .

( NAN )

Punch

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