The Ondo State government yesterday confirmed that Lassa fever has killed five persons in the state.
Twenty-four others are in critical condition.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation Yemi Olowolabi said the deaths and other cases were recorded in four local government areas.
He listed the local governments as Owo, Akoko Southwest, Akure North and Akure South.
Olowolabi said the government had strengthened its medical facilities in all its specialist hospitals to contain the spread of the disease.
He noted that the isolation centre at the Federal Medical centre (FMC) in Owo had also been reinforced to take adequate care of patients as part of efforts to check the spread of the disease.
Olowolabi said the government was embarking on sensitisation of the public on unhygienic habits that could aid the spread of Lassa fever in the state.
The fear of the disease has forced the Anambra State government to ban drinking of garri in the state .
Commissioner for Health Dr. Joe Akabuike spoke yesterday on a radio programme in Awka code nameed ‘Anambra talks ‘
He said residents of the state should take the hygiene of their environment serious against any form of disease.
He maintained that people could contact the disease through the garri they purchase in some certain places, spread on the ground,adding that such produce could be contaminated
Akabuike said: “Those garri you see spread along the highway while you’re traveling is very risky to consume, especially when you drink it.
“It is better and surer consuming the ones you prepared yourself.”
He explained that the ministry was battle ready to ensure the epidemic did not permeate into the state.
He said good hygiene practices and taking precautions over all form of symptoms among family members and friends would go a long way to curbing the spread .
“Hand washing remains an effective way of preventing diseases. Families as well as corporate organizations should re-adopt the use of tip taps and hand sanitisers placed in public places,” he said.
Other measures taken by the state government include the creation of Primary Health Care Agency, the Health Insurance Scheme and revitalisation of secondary care institutions .
“These reforms are being carried out to stand the test of time and they are playing great roles in putting the health sector in the state as one of the best across the country,” he said.
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