By Seun Adams
16 persons have been confirmed dead, while 45 are already infected by the deadly Lassa fever epidemic in Akoko area of Ondo State, SHARPEDGENews learnt on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, to curtail the scourge, the State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, has called for an all round stakeholders’ support and assistance.
As preventive measure the governor has however directed the Local Government Chairmen to establish dump sites in distance places far from residential areas.
In his contribution, the commissioner for Health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro, said Lassa fever is a transportable virus by a type of rat known as multimate rat which often breeds in dirty environment.
Residents, who spoke on anonymity said government should keep vigil and sustain the war on fight against Lassa fever.
Since dirty environment provides host to the rat, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Ondo State based in Ikare, Dr. Wale Oguntuase, advised the people to take cognizance of a clean environment.
He said all edible foods must be properly covered to avoid infestation by rats.