Dr. Bright Oniovokukor, Project Director, Indomitable Youths Organization (IYO) has called on the Edo State government, organizations and churches to improve public enlightenment on Lassa fever in the state.
Oniovokukor made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, in Benin.
Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever primarily transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces from Mastomys rats.
He said that improved public enlightenment, surveillance and laboratory testing had contributed immensely to the management of Lassa fever.
Oniovokukor noted that Lassa fever was endemic in Nigeria and the annual peak of Lassa fever cases were typically observed during the dry season (December–April).
“Our people need more knowledge on Lassa fever infection, hence we call on the government to enlighten the public.
“The number of infections is expected to rise further until the end of the dry season.
“It is also believed that activities of man, especially bush burning, had contributed a lot to this during the period”, he said.
According to him, secondary human-to-human transmission can also occur through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids of infected persons, especially in health-care settings.
He said that 90-95% of human infections were due to indirect exposure (through food or household items contaminated by infected rats’ excreta) or direct contact with infected Mastomys rats.
“The overall case fatality ratio among all infected people was approximately one percent, but was significantly higher among patients hospitalized with severe illness (around 15%).
“Timely diagnosis results in more rapid isolation of patients and provision of treatment, while also reducing the risk of person-to-person transmission in health care settings”, he added.
Oniovokukor advised the public to promote good community hygiene, to discourage rodents from entering homes, stored grains and other foodstuffs proof containers.
