By Fatima Muraina

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Nigerians have been advised to take steps that could  ameliorate the effect of current heat wave to avoid dehydration and prevent heat stroke.

Heat stroke is a condition where the body’s cooling mechanisms are overwhelmed by heat resulting to a high core heat.

The effect is dangerous to both animals and humans

The Head of Department, Meteorology and Climatic Science, School of Sciences, Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Prof. Ahmed Balogun  disclosed  in an interview with The Hope .

Balogun highlighted its symptoms to include body core temperature and mental status changes, noting that the heat being experienced is a tradition from hot dry season to wet.

” There is bound to be heat because we are now having influx of moisture, we are going to be feeling uncomfortable because the atmosphere is a bit humid and hot,” he said.

He urged people should drink a lot of fluids, limiting exposure to heat and wearing clothing’s that allows evaporation, cooling and recognising the early warning signs while  animals like the poultry birds be given enough shade and water and avoid feeding during hot part of the day.

According to him, ventilation is the easiest that can be done and most suitable and to do evacuation cooling in a dry area.

He said the humans can take a shower and stay under the tree shade where you can get ventilation where there is noair conditioner or fan.

He urged people to green their environment by planting Mango, Orange, pineapple, plantain and many others.

The Programme Manager of the Ondo state Agroclimatology department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Rufus Adeshina Akeju, said the present heat is expected but excessive due to global warming.

“What kills the animal most is dehydration, if you do not give them enough water and keep them away from heat, they will die,” he said.

The State Chairman of poultry Association of Nigeria PAN, Mr Gideon Oluleye described the harsh weather condition as heat stress which he said is a major challenge to the livestock production.

He said livestock farmers looses a lot of money due to the mortality rate of birds during the period.

“Incase of broiler farm, you may see it very agile in the morning and in the afternoon about 30 had died due to heat stress if not well ventilated,”

According to him, heat stress on animals can be reduced through reorientation of farmers on Pen construction and placement which must be well ventilated.

Some multivitamin drugs like Aspirin, mix in their water could reduce heat but not regularly to avoid defect on the animals.

Farmers are also advised on  late feeding of birds in the evenings or night while they are encouraged on the use of cold water which should be kept out of the sunny environment.