The Special Adviser to the Governors of Osun State on Public Health, Dr Olasiji Olamiju on Wednesday confirmed that the State lost a pregnant woman to Lassa fever.
He spoke during a sensitisation campaign against the disease at Oluode, one of the major market in Osogbo, the State capital.
The campaign was informed by the 127 reported cases of Lassa Fever in Nigeria as part of efforts of the Osun State government to educate residents and prevent spread of the disease
Olamiju said though, the disease has not escalated but the department of public health would not relent in putting necessary preventive measures in place within the State.
He advised residents to avoid contact with rats, maintain environmental hygiene and cover all foods and water properly.
He also cautioned residents against exposing food where rats could have access to it, 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 pot 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, Olamiju also advised residents to promptly report such cases to the nearest health facility.
Head, Oluode Market, Alhaja Lateef Sidikatu said the leadership of the market had taken proactive step to safeguard traders and customers against the disease.
”Immediately we were alerted to 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 actualization of Governor Oyetola’s second term election.
In their separate interviews, the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Omolola Adeagbo, the State Surveillance Officer, NCDC, Mr Ohuneni Stephen and the World Health Organization (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 other to prevent the disease.
“It is not ending here, we will continue to sensitize the masses until the war against the disease is won”, they said.
The State Ministry of Health sensitisation campaign team visited Igbona Market, Oluode Market and many other spots where food items are sold.
