Following the outbreak of Lassa fever in Owo and Akoko Southwest Local Government Areas of Ondo State, the state government says its residents have nothing to fear as efforts are ongoing to keep the disease at bay.
In a statement from the press officer of the state’s ministry of health, Abooluwa Famakinwa and made available to THE PRECISION, noted that the epidemic used to occur in some part of the state during the dry season, but was surprised it break out during the raining season and in Akoko where it has never occurred before.
The statement quoted the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Taiye Oni who affirmed the determination of the Ondo State Government to fight the scourge to a standstill .
To stem the tide and nip the epidemic in the bud, “the State is collaborating with the Irua Specialist Hospital, Federal Medical Center, Owo, National Center for Disease Control among others,” Oni said.
The State according to him has intensified Public Awareness Campaign doing all possible to make functional the Infectious Disease Annex of the State Specialist Hospital and its Public Health Laboratory for quick result.
Dr Oni further stated that Health Workers in the state have been sensitised and are combat ready.
He said reported cases have been isolated and under surveillance while also appealing to residents not to panic but inculcate personal and environmental hygiene and regular hand washing.
He also urged them to kill Rats and Rodents, avoid unnecessary crowding, mixing with people with symptoms, avoid self medication when there is fever and headache and body fluid from dead people among others.
The Permanent Secretary therefore appealed to the Federal Government to come to the aid of the state to prevent its spread.
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