FG Launches Nationwide Exercise to Tackle Lassa Fever

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Minister of State for Environment Dr. Iziaq Salako, has launched the National ‘Deratization’ framework exercise to prevent and control the spread of Lassa fever in the country.

The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari while briefing the press in Abuja, lamented the recent spread of the disease

He said the meeting with the State Emergency Response Team (SERT), had provided the etiological pattern of the disease.

Salako said suspected cases were recorded with six mortality, two additional cases originated from another facility in Barau Dikko Hospital , while 92 persons are under surveillance  as contact person.

 He added that the team had visited the affected facility, 44 Army Referral Hospital, on February 25, 2024 to gather relevant information.

“The general hygiene and cleanliness of the hospital was assessed as well as measures put in place to prevent the spread of the disease through disinfection and decontamination were both deemed effective and  found adequate.

“The team further confirmed the efficacy of the treatment by using an ITP machine and use of sodium hydrochloride in correct proportion and formulation to ensure safety of the facility.

“The team recommended that the facility be deratized to reduce the population of the disease carrying vector, specifically rats,” he stated.

He noted that at the environment sector, they will continue to to provide solutions, making the environment safe and unconducive for the vector to grow because it is responsible for the disease.

The Registrar,  Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), Dr. Yakubu  Muhammad, in his remarks, reiterated that the minister’s directives.

He stated that all the facilities, whether public or private should undergo the exercise, including  hotels, markets, restaurants and recreation centres after which they will be issued exemption certificates by EHCON.

Yakubu disclosed that the ministry had directed the council to embark on massive capacity building to update the knowledge of the practitioners on the  innovations, new approaches to control and address the disease.

He added that component of health education, promotion and creation of awareness in the communities also play an important role.

“At the community level, the issue of waste management cannot be over emphasised. At this time and period, remnant of food should not be exposed while our food stuff and stores should be rats proof. In the character of rats once there is no food,  rats vacates the house”. He added

He further emphasised that another approach to combat the spread of the disease is  by getting to the grassroots, noting that it’s a collective responsibility.

He also said farmers using roads for drying farm products should be discouraged from doing so, because it gives rats invitation to come and urinate,  defecate and pass faeces that contain the virus that causes disease and contamination of the food.

Yakubu warned that communities should reduce or stop taking bush meat, saying is not healthy for now because the virus has residual effect even after the death of the animal.