In an effort to check the sprrad of Lassa fever, some members of National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Kebbi State have embarked on public sensitisation in markets.
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News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sensitisation campaign was conducted in Arewa and Jega Local Government Areas of Kebbi State.
NAN also reports that the two exercises which held simultaneously, were led by the inspectors of the two local government areas of Arewa and Jega, Mr Timothy Dikko and Mr Suleman Abubakar-Belko respectively.
Leading the corps members on the sensitisation exercise at Kangiwa market in Arewa Local Government Area on Thursday, Mr Timothy Dikko, the Local Government Inspector described Lassa fever as detrimental to human existence.
He said corps members in Arewa intentionally decided to bring the awareness to the market place because majority of the marketers may not have the time to listen to radio, watch Television or even read news papers on the dangers of Lassa fever.
Dikko said, “Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrahagic illness caused by Lassa virus; it is an animal borne or zoonotic acute viral illness a member of arenavirus family of viruses.
“Human beings usually become infected with Lassa virus through exposure to food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces of infected mastomys rats .
“The outbreak of this virus in the country which has been responsible for loss of lives is what prompted corps members in Arewa Local Government Area to embark on a community development service sensitisation on Lassa fever at Kangiwa market in Arewa Local Government.’’
He said effective measures include storing grains and other foodstuffs in rodent proof containers, disposing garbage far from the homes, maintaining clean households and keeping cats.
NAN reports that the sensitisation dwell more on causes, prevention and symptoms of Lassa fever.
On his part, Mr Suleman Abubakar-Belko, Jega Local Government inspector advised residents of the area to always keep their foodstuffs safe in strong and closed containers that would prevent lassa fever carriers from the been in contact with.
He explained that the corps members serving in Jega Local Government Area deemed it fit to sensitise their host community on lassa fever due the outbreak of the virus.
In his remarks, the Director Socials in Jega Local Government Area, Mr Hassan Gezaru-Bunza encouraged the people of the community to take the message contained in the sensitisation seriously.
While appreciation the corps members for their concern in enlightening the community, Gezaru-Bunza urged them to keep the flag flying.