By Joe Adedeji, Ilorin
As a precautionary measure against the possible spread of Lassa fever, the Kwara State government has created an isolation and a treatment centre for the disease.
Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Raji Rasaq, who disclosed this at a press conference in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Monday, January 27, said though no case of the epidemic has been detected in the state yet, government decided to be proactive and take precautionary measures.
He also disclosed that the state Epidemic Preparedness and Response, EPR, has been resuscitated, while a while Rapid Response Teams, RRTs, have been put in place.
Also on stand by is the state Emergency Operation Centre, to coordinate government’s preparedness, using national algorithm.
The commissioner added that to adequately cater for this, a dedicated budget had been approved for disease surveillance (Lassa Fever and other epidemic prone disease), risk communications/public awareness, other preparedness and response actions among others.
He disclosed that the state, before now, had strived to build the isolation centre, making it the third in Nigeria, adding that the state government had prepared safe and dignified burial practices for patients who die from Lassa fever or any other epidemics.
The commissioner also revealed that the Kwara State government had adopted the One Health approach, by involving the Ministry of Agriculture and other relevant agencies and partners in the Lassa fever control.
Meanwhile, Dr. Rasaq enjoined all citizens of the state to imbibe health habits at all times and get rid of all types of rats in their homes and environments.
