By Bisi Lawani, Akure.
Ahead of the dry season, the Ondo State government has mapped out strategies to combat outbreak of lassa fever in the State
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Pharmacist Folukemi Aladenola made this known during an Emergency Operation committee meeting with pillar leads, assistants and partners which held at the Dr Wahab Adegbenro Emergency Operation Centre at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Akure.
The Permanent Secretary who was represented by the State Epidemiologist and Director Disease control, Dr Stephen Fagbemi said there is an annual increase in the number of cases of Lassa Fever at the onset of the dry season in November while emphasising that it is important to strategise and begin to roll out information on the seasonal pattern of the disease.
It was noted that there is need to contain the spread of the virus through sensitization of the people of the state on the patterns of Lassa Fever
According to the committee, Ondo State is one of the states in Nigeria where the disease is endemic and there is need to work hand in hand with all medical facilities in the state for proper diagnosis and prompt notification.
They emphasized that the general public must be sensitised appropriately especially farmers and dwellers in the rural and agrarian societies on how best to prevent outbreak through not burning bushes and keeping food items in ways that are not accessible to rodents
The committee therefore called on the people of the state to promote good hygiene at homes and in their various communities and also put measures in place that would discourage rodents from entering their homes.
The meeting resolved that strategies that would be used to combat the outbreak of the illness are training of clinicians, rolling out sensitization jingles, radio drama, motorised campaign and use of social media.
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever and an acute illness that has morbidity and mortality.
Lawani is Head, media and public Relations Unit, Ondo Ministry of Health.
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