Ondo State Urges FG To Provide Lassa Fever Rapid Test Kits

As Nigeria battles with the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak months after the success over Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), the federal government has been advised to provide Lassa fever Rapid Test kits to detect the disease on the spot. 

The Ondo state health commissioner, Dr Dayo Adeyanju who gave the advice during the #ondolassaupdates tweet chat on the efforts of the state at curtailing the disease, said the Lassa fever rapid test kits would help reduce the waiting time and manpower always spent at Iruwa Specialist Hospital of the state.

Dr Olusegun Mimiko, Ondo state governor

Adeyanju emphasised the need for the federal government to extend support to all states not yet affected by the disease which he noted is a pro-active way to keep it at bay.

READ ALSO: 10 Important Information About Lassa Fever

He stated that:

‎“The Federal Government should support all states of the federation and provide rapid diagnostic test kits for screening‎ while support must be extended to all the states, and not just the 10 states including Ondo presently affected by the disease.”

He noted that Ondo state has begun the activation of its outbreak control mechanism and surveillance mechanism at the grassroots in addition to sensitisation across the 18 council areas.

The health commissioner said having successfully curtailed Lassa fever in the state to the 2 recorded cases, the state is not taking any chances that might lead to any incursion of the disease.
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He continued by saying that, “at present, there are enough facilities including the General Hospitals and our Infectious Diseases Centre to handle any eventuality.”

Adeyanju emphasised the need for sound personal and environmental hygiene, ‎proper storage of food, especially grains as well as he also kicked against sun drying of food which make them susceptible to contacts from rodents.

He said: “Everyone should be conscious of what they consume and how they consume to ensure an end to the spread‎. By obeying simple rules of hygiene and by keeping the rats away, keeping our well rodent free.”

He assured that Ondo state will continue to provide leadership for the country on how best to ensure citizens live in good health through novel policies, programmes and initiatives.

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