Lassa fever: Ondo records over 50 cases in January

Over 50 cases of Lassa Fever had been recorded in Ondo State in January, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, has said.

Ajaka added that there was no casualty among the recorded cases.

“This is a season when there is a rise in cases of Lassa fever. It affects about four to five local government areas of Ondo State.

“So far in January, we have recorded over 50 cases. There is no casualty. The casualty we have was last year in December. Then, we had two deaths.

“We noticed a rise in December but we have already sent responses out.

“We are educating our people about preventions. Good hygiene is the hallmark and we are advising them against bush burning when rats can run into houses and so tell them about safekeeping of their food because this disease is spread by rats,” he said.

According to him, the state government is on top of the situation and currently running a programme tagged: ‘Deratification’, saying the occurrence is already going down.

TheStar