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Purpose: Coronavirus also known as COVID-19 is a viral infection that has been tagged as the greatest pandemic since the existence of humans by the WHO, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people globally; with the USA one of the highest. The full biology of the virus is yet to be known. This study reviews sixteen natural antiviral plants used in Taraba State to manage viral infections locally. Subjects and Methods: Sixteen medicinal plants popularly used as antiviral agents in Taraba State, Nigeria were surveyed based on a field-trip experience with herbal medicine practitioners in the three zones of the state. Plants that were in both zones were counted as the same. The plants that are majorly used for various viral infections are Allium sativum, Zingiber officinale, Camellia sinensis, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Cirus lemon, Azardirachta indica, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Curcuma longa, Haematostaphis barteri, Olea europaea, Melastomastrum capitatum, Astragalus canadensis, Carissa edulis, Spondias venulosa, Vitellaria paradoxa, and Euphorbia hirta. Results: Of the sixteen plants, ten have been reported to have antiviral properties against at least one of these viruses avian or bird flu, human influenza virus, infectious bronchitis virus (a type of coronavirus), herpes virus, hepatitis C virus and HIV. Conclusion: The study revealed that further research on these antiviral plants used traditionally might pave the way for the discovery of potent antiviral drugs against COVID-19.

Introduction: A study on the current status of parasitic intestinal helminthes and the efficacy of anthelmintic drug was carried out among primary school pupils at Community Primary School Ogurugu, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State. Objectives: The research was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of human intestinal helminthes among primary school pupils, and also to determine the prevalence in relation to age and sex, and to check the efficacy of anthelmintic drug (Levamisole) on the worms, in Ogurugu Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 242 faecal samples were collected randomly from the school children and analyzed using standard parasitological procedures. Results: Data obtained showed an overall prevalence of 143 (59.1%) out of 242 samples and that the efficacy of anthelmintic drug Ergamisole ® (Levamisole R12564; Unicure Pvt.ltd India) 50 mg in reducing the worm burden was 99 (82.5%) in 120 samples treated. Age related prevalence and efficacy of anthelmintic varied across the sample groups. There was no significant difference in sex related infections in the sample group (P > 0.5). The efficacy of the drug reduces with the increase in age. Also the efficacy of Levamisole drug in reducing the worm burden were hookworm 59 (89.5%), Ascaris 24 (85.7%), Trichuris 26 (78.6%) while Taenia and Strongyloides showed drug resistance. This indicates that a single dose of the medication is not enough for total elimination of these endo parasites. Conclusion: The study revealed that poor hygienic practices as well as unsanitary conditions were responsible for high prevalence recorded in the area, and advocated health education through primary health care and mass deworming of primary school children as control measures.

Contamination of soil with cryptosporidial oocysts poses a great health risk to people especially in individuals who are immune-compromised. Exposure to contaminated soil can cause diarrhoea in humans especially in children who play around the parks and may not wash their hands before handling food. The prevalence of cryptosporidial oocyst in soils of 4 recreational parks in Abuja, Nigeria was investigated. Four hundred soil samples were collected from various locations within the recreational parks and examined for the presence of cryptosporidial oocyst using modified acid fast staining technique. In nine (2.3%) of the samples, 8 were from park A and 1 was from park B contained cryptosporidial oocyst. There was significant association (χ 2 = 20.1; df = 2; p = 0.00004) between prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and level of hygiene of the parks. It was concluded that soil in recreational parks may be a source of infection with Cryptosporidium oocysts.