Lassa Fever Kills 16, 45 Others Infected In Ondo
No fewer than 16 people have so far been killed by Lassa fever while another 45 have been infected by the disease which broke out in Akoko area of Ondo State.
Speaking at a critical stakeholders’ meeting which took place on Wednesday the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu called for collaborative efforts to combat the deadly scourge of Lassa fever.
He directed council chairmen to acquire land in a distant place to cities as dump sites.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr wahab Adegbenro informed the parley that Lassa fever was a transportable virus by a type of rat called muitimate rat also known as mastomyns matalensis which breeds in a dirty environment.
An official of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Abuja, Dr Yaya Disu gave kudos to Ondo State government for its concern for the early control of the disease.
This disease was reported to have killed some people in Ondo State and Akoko area as part of the axis where the deadly disease affected now.
There was panic and apprehension as many patients who were sick now visit hospitals to know their health status.
A community leader, Marsha Ojuolape from Ikare Akoko said the tempo at which government took up this matter when it first broke out had reduced before this new trend.
Ojuolape noted that the fight against the disease should be a continuous effort and not a fire-brigade approach.
He called on stakeholders like traditional rulers, farmers, market women and volunteers to join hands with health workers to sensitise members of the public through electronic media and town criers.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Ondo State Specialist Hospital, Ikare. Dr. Wale Oguntuase urged members of the public to imbibe personal hygiene particularly covering of their food so as not to allow rats to have access to them.
He appealed to people with symptoms to visit medical facilities where qualified medical personnel will attend to them.
A director of environmental services in Akoko North West Local Government Mr. Olusanya Ojo noted that government efforts on market and community sanitation were very effective in Akoko area.
Those who usually dry cassava on tarred roads and other places had been cautioned to desist from the act.
The sensitization according to Ojo was against Lassa fever and other communicable diseases had been a regular exercise which members of the public need to be embraced.
