The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Kano State on Saturday stressed the need for Nigerians to be enlightened to prevent the spread of Lassa Fever in the country.
Olayinka Olawore, the NOA Public Relations Officer in the state, said in a statement in Kano that currently, available preventive measures included avoiding contact between rats and human beings and general cleanliness.
“Foods and water should be properly covered; all foods should be cooked thoroughly and to store foodstuffs in rodent proof containers; block all rat hideouts,” the statement said.
It stressed the need for the people to take necessary precautionary measures to prevent its spread, saying it has spread to Bauchi, Nassarawa, Niger, Taraba, Rivers, Edo and Oyo States.
It said a total of 76 suspected cases had so far been reported nationwide, with 43 deaths and a Case Fatality Rate of 46 per cent, with the number increasing daily.
The statement said further: “Lassa Fever is an acute febrile illness with bleeding and death in severe cases, caused by the Lassa Fever virus with an incubation period of between six and 21 days.
“About 80 per cent of human infections are asymptomatic; the remaining cases have severe multi-system disease, where the virus affects several organs in the body, such as the liver, spleen and kidneys.”
It added that the disease is usually gradual, starting with fever, general weakness and malaria.
The statement further urged Nigerians to avoid rat consumption even in communities that have not recorded cases of the disease as there was no environmental challenge that does not affect every part of the country.
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