Oyetola intensifies campaign against Lassa Fever, takes sensitisation to market
Abimbola Abatta
The Osun State Government, following 127 reported cases of Lassa Fever in Nigeria, has commenced aggressive sensitisation campaign against the disease in markets across the state.
Speaking at Oluode Market in Osogbo earlier in the week, the Special Adviser on Public Health, Dr Olasiji Olamiju, said the sensitisation campaign was part of efforts of the State Government to educate residents and prevent further spread of the disease.
Olamiju who confirmed that the state had lost a pregnant woman to the deadly disease, said though the disease has not escalated, the department of public health would not relent in putting necessary preventive measures in place in the State.
He advised residents to avoid contact with rats, maintain environmental hygiene and cover all foods and water properly.
Olamiju also cautioned residents against exposing foods where rats could have access to them, kill rats when they see any and discard any food suspected to have been tampered with by rats.
The Public Health expert also enjoined market women to wash cooking pots properly before and after use.
Listing the symptoms of the disease to include headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, diarrhea, cough and abdominal pain, he also advised residents to promptly report such cases to the nearest health facility.
Alhaja Lateef Sidikatu, Head, Oluode Market, said the leadership of the market had taken proactive step to safeguard traders and customers against the disease.
“Immediately we were alerted of the outbreak in some neighbouring states, we quickly embarked on sensitisation for the traders and with the help of the government, we will also fumigate our market to make sure the environment is safe,” Lateef said.
She commended the Oyetola-led administration for its efforts in educating the residents on how to protect themselves from contracting the disease. She pledged total support of the market women to the ongoing sensitisation campaign and the actualisation of Governor Oyetola’s second term election.
In their separate remarks, the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Omolola Adeagbo, the State Surveillance Officer, NCDC, Mr Ohuneni Stephen and the World Health Organisation (WHO) Focal Person for the State, Dr Fatoki Bashir described the campaign as an important activity to sensitize the populace about Lassa Fever and make them more cautious in order to prevent the disease.
“It is not ending here, we will continue to sensitise the masses until the war against the disease is won,” they said.
