Ethiopian Informer
ADDIS ABABA, June 2 (EI) — The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Saturday expressed concern over the use of chemical disinfection sprays or tunnels with chemical disinfection or ultraviolet rays (UV-C).
“The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Infection Control African Network (ICAN) are concerned about the use of chemical disinfection sprays or tunnels with chemical disinfection or ultra violet rays (UV-C),” the Africa CDC and ICAN said in a joint position statement issued on Saturday concerning the use of disinfection tunnels or disinfectant spraying of humans.
“This practice has been frequently observed in media reports and included in local disinfection policies and protocols for healthcare facilities and local governments,” the Africa CDC said.
According to the Africa CDC, tunnels, booths or double gated structures have all been employed to facilitate disinfection of human beings using chemicals or ultra violet rays.
“The position of Africa CDC and ICAN is that direct spraying of humans with chemical disinfectant or exposing them to UV-C is not recommended,” an Africa CDC statement read.
The continental disease control and prevention agency also noted that the latest statement “is based on a review of the most recent evidence and Africa CDC and ICAN expert assessment.”
The Africa CDC is a public health agency of the 55-member African Union (AU) to support the public health initiatives of African countries and strengthen the capacity of their health institutions to deal with disease threats.
The Africa CDC is presently leading the continental anti-COVID-19 efforts, supporting African countries in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of Saturday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the African continent surpassed 135,292 as of Saturday morning, as the death toll from the ongoing pandemic surged to 3,922, according to the latest figures from the Africa Center CDC.
Figures from the Africa CDC also showed that some 56,416 people who have been infected with the COVID-19 have recovered across the continent.
