Benue steps up measures against Lassa fever

Benue state government has stepped up measures to contain the spread of Lassa fever in the event of any occurrence in the state.

Daily Trust reports that the federal government has admitted the plague of the deadly disease in at least 10 states of the federation including neighbouring states of Nassarawa and Taraba.

The State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Cecilia Ojabo assured residents in the State not to panic as a rapid response team for the prevention and control of Lassa fever in the state was currently working round the clock to avert any eventual outbreak.

Dr. Ojabo urged the people to observe personal hygiene such as hand washing, clean environment, keeping away of foodstuff in places where they could be exposed to rodents’ faeces and urine, not eating sick animals and rats.

She advised residents to report to the nearest health centre any death suspected to have been caused by symptoms associated with persistent fever, abdominal pains, vomiting and passing of bloody stool as well as bloody skin rash.

The commissioner emphasised that Lassa fever is a highly contagious disease and can be contracted through water and food contaminated by droppings of infected rats and persons. He thereby stressed the need to rid homes of rats and cover foods as well as drinking waters.

Our correspondent recalled that in January, 2013, the Federal Ministry of Health donated 4,500 doses of both Ribavirin and Virazole tablets including intravenous drugs to the State government to control the spread of Lassa fever in the state.

The donation was against the backdrop of confirmed cases of Lassa fever which claimed three lives including that of a medical doctor at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi.

There have not been reported cases of the disease in the state after the 2013 outbreak.