KIGALI, Rwanda – Biomedical scientist and public health expert, Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan has said that multi-riders exchange of motorcycle helmets poses no particular public health risk that can amount to an outbreak or epidemic, and that the public should not panic.
By Ingoma Mbonyi, Contributing writer
“The microbes like Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and some common fungi species found on shared helmets by multiple riders are the same regular organisms found on your house door knobs, on the car door handle, on our bodies, on studio microphones and headphones, and all around our homes, offices, or school environments; they pose no particular public health risk and warrant no panic,” said Dr. Nyan in response to questions from journalists and the public.
Dr. Nyan, a globally renowned infectious diseases specialist and inventor, made the clarification recently on the Truth FM 96.1 Breakfast Show of O’Neal Roberts and the OK FM 99.5 Conversation Show of Julius Jeh when questioned by the hosts and listeners.
He added that, “regarding use of helmet, what we are mainly concerned about in public health are head injuries like lacerations to the head, mild traumatic brain injury like concussion or head fractures that may occur during a motor accident and that could lead to fatality as a result of a rider not wearing protective helmet.”
The clarifications by the infectious diseases expert stemmed from public concerns and panic raised by recent statements of some employees at a public health institute in Liberia, that helmet sharing is a risk of pathogen transmission and spread of infections among passengers who travel by motorcycle.
The Liberian public health employees further mandated motorcyclists to carry gloves, and disinfectants, and that passengers should wear face mask, either carry their own helmet or cover their head before wearing a shared helmet to prevent infections.
Dr. Nyan said, “the statements and measures promulgated by the Liberian public health employees are not based on any facts, evidence or research studies conducted by the institution; and I have not come across any research study that shows that helmet-sharing ever led to an outbreak.”
“In countries like Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana and some Asian countries where motorcyclists and riders wear helmets, there has been no documented scientific report of diseases-spread, infectious outbreak or public health risk as a result of helmet-sharing by multiple riders,” Dr. Nyan stated.
He further applauded the Liberian Police for doing a great job by introducing helmet-wearing by conductors and riders of motor cycle, but noted that such statement of the health authorities is scaring the public, creating panic, and undermining the efforts of the Police.
“Public health authorities should appropriately advise the Liberian National Police base on validated scientific evidence and facts so as to properly guide policy enforcement of helmet wearing by motorcyclist as well as encourage the public,” Dr. Nyan said.
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