JAP/WHO Undertakes sensitization campaign on Lassa fever to Bauchi communities

Masoyi Lusa,

Journalists Against Polio (JAP) in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO) has took  sensitization campaign on dangers, prevention and control of Lassa fever in various communities of Bauchi State.

The  JAP Team leader Mallam Balarabe Alkassim disclosed this at Mararaban Liman Katagum Community during  the  Sensitization  campaign  with a focus on spreading awareness and sensitization to help stop further  spread of the disease.

According to him, “the sensitization campaign to Communities and the collaboration with WHO as timely and paramount  to the Society especially when the nation is face with such challenges of dreaded Lassa fever, it is our responsibility to contribute our quarter in curbing the outbreak” adding that the campaign will take place simultaneously in other local government of the state.

Balarabe Alkassim told the Community that they are In Mararaban Liman Katagum Community to spreading awareness to help stop the spread of the disease. Lassa Alert and shared key information about the disease which has now been confirmed in several states around Nigeria including Bauchi.

Alkassim explains that humans usually become infected with Lassa virus from exposure to urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats. Lassa virus may also be spread between humans through direct contact with the blood, urine, faeces, or other bodily secretions of a person infected with Lassa fever.

He said “Person-to-person transmission occurs in both community and health-care settings, where the virus may be spread by contaminated medical equipment, such as re-used needles.”

“Lassa fever occurs in all age groups and both sexes. Persons at greatest risk are those living in rural areas where Mastomys are usually found, especially in communities with poor sanitation or crowded living conditions”.

The team leader urged  the Community   to discourage rodents from entering homes.according to him, effective measures include storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage far from the home, maintaining clean households and keeping cats. Because Mastomys are so abundant in endemic areas, family members should always be careful to avoid contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons.

Responding the Spokesman of the Community Mallam Usman Sajo  charge  government at all levels  should introduce a sort of chemicals or rats poison that will stop much multiplying of rats in the bush and communities or fumigate our bushes and homes as measures to prevent multiplication of rats.

He stressed that they have a large number of rats in their homes such they need ways to eradicate them.

Usman lamented that most of the rats poison sold in the markets are ineffective in killings the rats. He however Commended JAP and WHO for embarking in such campaign to sensitise communities on the dreaded disease called Lassa fever.