Lassa fever: Osun health officers on red alert

Health officers in Osun State have been placed on a red alert to prevent the outbreak and spread of Lassa fever in the state.

The Special Adviser to Gov. Gboyega Oyetola on Public Health, Dr Olasiji Olamiju, disclosed this while speaking with journalists on Thursday in Osogbo.

Olamiju said that due to the outbreak of the disease in some part of the country, especially in the neighbouring Ondo State, it had become imperative to put necessary measures in place to curtail the spread of the viral infection to the state.

He, however, assured residents that there was no cause for alarm, adding that all health institutions and workers had been placed on alert, while enlightenment campaigns had been intensified.

He said: “We have started sensitising our health workers and building their capacity to know how to promptly handle the disease in case of an outbreak.

“All our secondary and tertiary health facilities are equally combat-ready to curtail the spread”.

The governor’s aide called on the people of the state to report suspected symptoms of the virus to the nearest government facility for prompt action.

Olamiju warned against poor display and disposal of food remnants, urging people to maintain hygienic kitchen and clean their utensils.