The Ekiti government on Thursday dismissed speculations in some quarters that the state might have recorded cases of Lassa Fever.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, who addressed newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, however, said the state was ready for any outbreak.
She gave an assurance that all primary health facilities, specialist and general hospitals as well as Teaching Hospitals had been sensitised and adequately prepared for an outbreak.
” We are doing a lot of sensitisation and education for food handlers, store keepers and all residents on radio, television and all our health facilities across the state,” she said.
She appealed to residents to make personal hygiene a lifestyle, adding that they should engage in consistent and regular hand washing, cover their food stuff properly and refrain from bush burning.
” Cover your food, especially garri very well, ensure that the production process is done hygienically and clean your environment to avoid breeding of rats, ” the commissioner said.
She also said that the Oba Adejuyigbe General Hospital had been dedicated as a quarantine center for any confirmed case of Lassa Fever in Ekiti.
Earlier, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr Jimlas Ogunsakin, had disclosed that the incubation period for Lassa fever was between two and 21 days, advising that any suspect be screened adequately.
Ogunsakin noted that the symptoms of Lassa Fever include high temperature, headache, vomiting and itching of the body.
