* In case of emergency, call Nigeria Centre for Disease Control or Federal Ministry of Health :08093810105, 08163215251, 08031571667 and 08135050005
Princess Stella Oduah, Senator representing Anambra North senatorial district, has called on Nigerians to imbibe the culture of maintaining a clean environment to minimise further spread of the Lassa Fever as already reported in various states of the Federation
Consequently, she urged them to take all necessary precaution against the disease which is fast-spreading because the rats which spread it are everywhere around humans where the environment is dirty.
In her words, “Maintaining a clean environment is key to avoiding the fast-spreading Lassa haemorrhagic fever.
“Avoiding close contact and reporting suspected victims to the nearest Health Centre will also help to curb its further spread.
“It is important for us to key into the ongoing sensitization campaign by the Ministry of Health and eventually, the disease will become a thing of the past. She said
Oduah concluded by advising all Nigerians especially in rural areas to get rat killers and other chemicals to enable them get rid of the virus infected rodents.
Outbreak of this disease has been reported in 11 states of the Federation cutting across all geopolitical zones with over 46 deaths.
…Ekiti records first case, stable
Ekiti State Government on Monday said it has recorded one case of the dreaded Lassa Fever.
Dr. Olurotimi Ojo, state Commissioner for Health, made this known at a stakeholders forum on Lassa Fever in Ado-Ekiti.
Ojo said that the patient was discovered at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti at the weekend.
“The state has confirmed a Lassa Fever case that is being managed at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti.
“The patient is stable and has commenced treatment,” he said.
NAN reports that the commissioner announced that a number of emergency measures were already being taken to check the spread.
…Claims 2 more lives in Plateau
Lassa fever has claimed two more lives in Plateau, the State Government confirmed on Monday in Jos.
Mr Kuden Dayin, state Commssioner for Health, told NAN that the victims died at the Jos University Teaching Hosital (JUTH) on Saturday.
The latest deaths bring to three, the number of persons so far killed, after the commissioner confirmed the death of one person at Ting village in Fombur District of Mangu local government area last week.
According to Dayin, relations, friends and health workers who came in contact with the latest victims, have been placed under surveillance.
He also disclosed that 32 persons were currently under surveillance in Mangu, up from the 15 earlier placed under surveillance in that area last week.
The commissioner, however, said that none of the persons under surveillance has so far shown any positive sign of symptoms of the disease.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation for supplying drugs to the state through the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control.
He warned people against the consumption of rat meat.
Dayin advised residents to ensure personal and environmental hygiene to minimise the possibility of contacting the disease.
Leadership/NAN