
The Benue State Government has urged the people of the state not to panic over the outbreak of Lassa Fever in neighbouring states of Nassarawa and Taraba as it has put in place measures to prevent possible epidemic in the state.
Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Cecilia Ojabo who gave the assurance, said the State Government has already set up a Rapid Response Team for the prevention of Lassa Fever in the State.
Speaking after a meeting of the Rapid Response Team, Dr. Ojabo explained that the fever can be contracted through water and food contaminated by droppings of infected rats and persons.
The Commissioner emphasized that Lassa Fever is a highly contagious disease which manifests through symptoms such as persistent fever, abdominal pains, vomiting and passing of bloody stool as well as bloody skin rash. She urged the public to immediately report to the nearest health centre any person with such symptoms.
Mrs Ojabo however said the disease can be prevented and controlled with public health measures such as imbibing personal hygiene habits like hand washing, keeping the environment clean, not drying or keeping foodstuff in places where they can be exposed to rodents’ faeces and urine, not eating sick animals and rats and above all, reporting to the nearest health centre any death suspected to have been caused by any of the mentioned symptoms.
The Commissioner called on the people of the state to support the Ortom administration to achieve its target to have a society free of avoidable diseases by killing all the rats already in their homes, keeping the homes free of rats and covering foods as well as drinks to avoid contamination.
Source: Radio Benue Reports