FG Unveils Initiative To Control Spread Of Lassa Fever

The Minister of State for Environment Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako has launched the National Deratization Framework Exercise to prevent and control the spread of Lassa fever in the country.

THE WHISTLER reports that deratization involves treatments that aim at control of all kinds of rodents such as mice or rats.

The Minister while briefing the press in Abuja, stated that the framework stands to provide an update on the recent outbreak of Lassa Fever reported by 44 Army Referral Hospital in Kaduna State and subsequent spread of the disease in the state.

The minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari, said the meeting with the State Emergency Response Team (SERT), has provided the etiological pattern of the disease.

Salako stated that 12 suspected cases were recorded with six mortality, two additional cases originating from another facility in Barau Dikko Hospital, while 92 persons were under surveillance.

He noted that the team has visited the affected facility (44 Army Referral Hospital) on 25th of February 2024 where the general hygiene and cleanliness of the hospital was assessed as well as measures put in place to prevent the spread of the disease through disinfection and decontamination were both deemed effective and found adequate.

“The team further confirmed the efficacy of the treatment by using an Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura( ITP) machine and use of sodium hydrochloride in correct proportion and formulation to ensure safety of the facility.

“The team recommended that the facility be deratized to reduce the population of the disease carrying vector, specifically rats,” the minister stated.