The Lagos State Government has again reiterated the need for residents of the state to ensure and maintain adequate personal and environmental hygiene at all times as part of the precautionary measures to prevent the outbreak of the lassa fever in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris who disclosed this in Lagos over the weekend, explained that the advice became necessary as part of the state government’s efforts aimed at stemming the possible outbreak of the disease in Lagos State in the wake of reported cases of lassa fever outbreak in parts of the country.
Idris similarly urged members of the public to avoid contact with rats, cover their food and water properly, cook all their food thoroughly, as well as block all rat hideouts and holes.
He also stressed the importance of storing grains and other dried food items in containers with covers, proper disposal of refuse, maintaining adequate sanitation, as well as keeping pets like cats in the house.
The Commissioner explained that lassa fever is an acute viral infection caused by the lassa virus that is associated with persistent high fever, adding that as the disease progresses into a severe form, the patient begins to develop facial swelling, fluid in the chest, bleeding from the mouth, nose, vagina and the gut, low blood pressure, shock, disorientation, coma and kidney and liver failure.
According to him, other usual symptoms include general weakness, malaise headache, sore throat, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Idris advised residents of the state to contact the Directorate of Disease Control in the state Ministry of Health or the following telephone numbers 08023228573, 08023213333 or 08033329327 for more information on the disease.