Don’t wash medical nose masks for reuse, NCDC warns Nigerians

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In view of the apparent misuse of nose masks by many unwary Nigerian consumers of the medical product, following the outbreak of the fatal Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease in the country, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on Monday warned against the washing of surgical masks for reuse.

Referencing an image of the women washing masks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the NCDC, in a tweet via its official Twitter handle, stated that such a behavior “poses a risk for #COVID19 spread.”

It, therefore, advised that surgical nose masks be disposed of in a waste bin after use.

“Use only those from original packaging,” the agency advised.

When using surgical masks, the disease control agency advises that you follow this process:

• Dipose in a waste bin after use
• Do not wash for reuse
• Use only those from original packaging

For more advice https://t.co/7EHti8zZ5m pic.twitter.com/T4cqoG0P35 at NCDC (@NCDCgov) April 20, 2020.

As part of its public enlightenment programme to educate the public on the appropriate use of nose masks, the NCDC has published an advisory on its Web site.

Recently, the agency recommended the use of nose masks for the general public as a protective measure against the spread of COVID-19.

“The wearing of face masks, (or equivalent) is recommended as an optional additional layer to be used in addition to other measures such as physical distancing, hand and respiratory hygiene measures in Nigeria,” the NCDC in its mask advisory.