Lawmaker Campaigns Against Lassa Fever

By the time the various lecturers finished educating the people of Apapa Constituency 2, which includes Iganmu, on the deadly effects of Lassa fever, the people of the area had just one resolution: to ensure that every rat in their communities are flushed out if the people really wanted to live.

Their representative at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Olumuyiwa Jimoh, had taken the initiative to enlighten the people while experts across the country continued to warn that the ailment was spreading fast.

Delivering a lecture on the illness that is threatening to become a scourge, human rights activist, Dr. Olusegun Mayegun, blamed the government as he said Lassa fever would only affect societies without good drainage, sewage and housing system.

“We need good leaders who have the welfare of the people at heart and create good and healthy environment for all.”

Mayegun, who disclosed the presence of a massive number of rats in major parts of Lagos like Shomolu, Bariga, Ajegunle and Iganmu, added that “many people don’t take cognizance of where they erect their houses; some people will go and build their own houses on canals and you want to run away from rats knowing it is not possible.

“In some surroundings, you see their septic tanks open and rats will be going up and down the whole place.

“Many people have died of Lassa fever and people will say they were killed by witches,” he added.

The Health Officer of the Apapa-Iganmu LCDA, Omobolanle Alli-Balogun, said care must be taken in dealing with those already infected with the disease because it is contagious and can be contacted through sweat or blood contact.

She said the disease begins like normal fever but soon degenerate into stooling with blood.

She further said the infected person would find blood in his mouth and urine.

Dr. A. O Kadir of the Barakat Hospital also informed the people that women are more prone to the disease.

“Therefore, every woman must be mindful of where she goes for antenatal or any other treatment since even in the process of taking drip, one can easily be infected,” he said.

Speaking at the enlightenment campaign, which took place at the Apapa-Iganmu LCDA secretariat in Ijora, Jimoh explained that the programme was organised “not only to educate and create awareness on the Lassa fever scourge, but to also recommend best preventive practices against this killer disease which outbreak can result in grave consequences not only in Apapa-Iganmu, but the whole of Lagos State.”