Lassa fever: Kwara to sanction food vendors for poor hygiene

The Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWASEPA) has warned food processors, garri production centres, and street food vendors across the state to adhere strictly to hygiene and waste management standards or face sanctions, in a bid to prevent the spread of Lassa fever.

In a statement on Wednesday, KWASEPA’s Press Secretary, Aliyu Amode, said the agency is concerned about environmental practices that could increase the risk of the viral disease.

The agency’s General Manager, Jide Aina, explained that Lassa fever is typically transmitted through contact with infected rodents or consumption of food contaminated by rodent urine or droppings. “Food handlers occupy a critical position in safeguarding public health, particularly in preventing contamination during food processing, storage, and sales,” the statement emphasized.

Aina directed garri processing factories and other food production facilities to store raw materials and finished products in rodent-proof containers, maintain regular cleaning of processing equipment, and ensure proper waste disposal to avoid rodent infestations.

Street food vendors were also cautioned against unsafe practices such as placing or spreading food on bare ground or exposed surfaces. They were urged to cover food items, maintain personal hygiene, wash hands with soap and clean water, and dispose of refuse responsibly.

“Key preventive measures include maintaining clean surroundings, using safe water for food preparation, and proper handling and disposal of food packaging materials,” Aina said, adding that KWASEPA will intensify routine inspections and enforce compliance, with defaulters facing penalties under environmental health regulations.

He further stressed, “Ensuring proper hygiene and waste management is not optional; it is essential to protecting lives. Together, we can drastically reduce the risk of Lassa fever and promote a healthier Kwara State.”

The agency called on all food business operators and residents to take collective responsibility in maintaining environmental cleanliness, noting that proactive action is crucial to preventing Lassa fever.

Earlier reports on social media claimed that corps members at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Kwara State had died from Lassa fever.

The state government, however, debunked these claims, confirming that there has been no recorded outbreak or confirmed cases at the camp.

A statement from the Ministry of Health said the state’s Rapid Response Team investigated the rumours after they surfaced on February 8 and found no evidence of infection among corps members or camp officials.

NYSC State Coordinator, Olaoluwa Onifade, clarified that the corps member mentioned in the reports had a pre-existing chronic condition and passed away at a health facility outside the camp, with no laboratory confirmation linking the death to Lassa fever.