Lassa Fever: Ondo Urges FG to Provide Rapid Test Kits

Posted on: Tue 19-01-2016

As Nigeria battles with the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak currently ravaging 12 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) the federal government has been advised to provide rapid test kits to detect the disease on the spot.

Making this known in a series of tweets, tagged #ondolassaupdates, the Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, said on-the-spot test would help reduce the waiting time and manpower spent on diagnostic centres in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) in Edo State and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

Adeyanju emphasised that there was the need for the federal government to extend support to all states, including the ones not yet under the outbreak.

“The federal government should support all states of the federation and provide rapid diagnostic test kits for screening, while support must be extended to all the states, and not just the 11 states, currently affected by the outbreak.

He noted that Ondo State has begun activation of outbreak control mechanism and surveillance mechanism at the grassroots, in addition to sensitisation across the 18 council areas of the state.

The health commissioner promised that the state would be able to curtail any outbreak within the state.

“At present, there are enough facilities, including the general hospitals and our infectious diseases center to handle any eventuality,” he noted.

Adeyanju emphasised the need for sound personal and environmental hygiene, proper storage of food, especially grains. He also kicked against sun drying of food, which makes them susceptible to contacts with rodents.

Meanwhile, a call has gone to all residents and inhabitants of Osun State to maintain the highest order of cleanliness in view of the outbreak of the Lassa fever in the country.

Although no reported case of the epidemic has been reported in the state, there is need for the people to be extra vigilant.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Olusegun Aduroja, gave the admonition while speaking to journalists.

Aduroja said Lassa fever is caused by a particular rodent when its faeces and droppings come in contact with food items that are left uncovered.

He said since it would be difficult to distinguish among the varieties of rodents that are the vectors of the disease, people should strive as much as possible to keep away rats and rodents from their homes and vicinities.

The Permanent Secretary therefore called on the people of the state not to panic but rather maintain the simple hygiene of cleanliness by washing their hands frequently and from time to time.

On the outbreak of Avian Influenza in some parts of the country, Aduroja also advised the people to observe the same precautionary method of washing their hands any time they come in contact with birds.

By: Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo and Martins Ifijeh

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