ASABA/Nigeria: Deltans have been called upon to imbibe the culture of good hygiene to prevent the spread of Lassa fever which is presently ravaging West African countries including Nigeria.
The commissioner for information, Mr Charles Aniagwu made the call in Asaba, during a sensitization and awareness campaign organized by the Ministry of Information in conjunction with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ) on Essential Family Practices.
Mr Aniagwu who was represented by the UNICEF Focal Person in the ministry, Mrs Patricia Gbemudu, stated that the aim of the campaign was to encourage Deltans to join hands with government to curtail the spread of the disease.
He explained that Lassa fever was an animal-borne, acute viral illness transmitted through the handling infected rats, food, and contaminated household items by rat urine and faeces.
The information commissioner advised market men and women on a range of preventive measures including keeping their environment clean, disposing their defuse neatly to discourage rats from entering their houses, washing hands thoroughly after contact with faeces and dirt and cooking food thoroughly to prevent the spread any diseases.
He cautioned Deltans against self-medication even as he admonished them to take advantage of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s programme of access to health care by going to the nearest health facility and be properly diagnosed.
Responding, the leader of the midwifery market traders, Okpanam, Mrs Florence Awolo, appreciated the campaign team, saying that they had learnt much through the awareness campaign on the need to keep their environment and household clean.
She assured that the market traders would complement government efforts in curbing the spread of diseases in the market and their homes.
