Ebola virus is the most difficult health challenge confronting the third world countries and is deadlier than HIV/AIDs,medical experts have declared.

A Professor of Epidemology and Community Health Science,University of Ilorin, Tanimola Akande, and a one time Clinical Virologist at Hoston Texas,United States of America,Dr.Olajide Agbede, made the declaration in Ilorin, Kwara State, during their seperate lectures delivered at an awareness campaign on Ebola virus sponsored by Chairman, LUBCON Group of companies,Alhaji Jani Ibrahim.

The duo identified fruit bats as the major courier of Ebola virus which later spread it to other animals and man.

Akande, specifically advised Nigerians to shun the consumption of bush meat as a preventive measure against contacting the viirus.

The don who is the national president, Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, said "Ebola is a very deadly disease. We have been talking about HIV/AIDS but Ebola is more deadlier than HIV/AIDS. It's an African Problem. Mostly in Central and West Africa Republic".

He said the virus which "thrives in their natural host of fruits bats had so far killed 580 out of the 930 people diagnosed with the disease in Guinea, Liberia, Seira- Leone and Ghana".

The medical expert said "any contact with an effected person is almost a death sentence because the virus has no vaccines,no drugs ,we only give palliative management".

He said the virus unlike in animals, presents common malaria symptoms like fever,headache,general body pain,blood stooling and bleeding from within and outside of an infected person".

As a way to prevent the out brake of the disease in Nigeria, Akande urged people to be weary of consumption of bush meats,wash their hands regularly while health workers should also start wearing protective kits while attending to patients with high fever.

Also in his lecture,Agbede called for efficient surveillance system that will include mounting a quarantine system for animal and human beings at the points of entry into Nigeria.

He also suggested that trained personnel who can easily spot Ebola virus symptoms and vectors should be deployed to all International air ports in Nigeria.

The lecturers praised LUBCON for taking the lead in creating awareness on the virus.

Chairman, LUBCON group,in his remarks,said the awareness programme was organised to sensitize Nigerians on the need to take precaution and prevent the spread of the virus into the country.

Jani said he was particularly moved by the recorded case in Ghana where he said the company is also firmly rooted.

Managing Director,LUBCON,Mr Taiye Williams said though,the company is into Oil and Gas,it organised the programme as part of its corporate social responsibility to ensure the well being of Nigerians.