Rivers Warns Residents Of Lassa Fever Threat …As Amaechi Tasks LG Chairmen On Polio

The authorities in the Rivers State Ministry of Health, have warned residents of the state of fresh reports of Lassa Fever attack recently.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker gave the warning yesterday in a chat with newsmen in Port Harcourt, disclosing that so far the state had recorded two fresh cases.

Though the state is not endemic to the disease, Dr Parker observed that, “one case alone is an epidemic but so far, we have two cases already reported”.

He maintained that such statistics was enough to quarantine and fight the disease usually spread by rats.

Already, he said the government had begun tracing the cause of the disease, assuring that ,” we would not rest until every one in Rivers State is aware of the dangers of Lassa Fever.”

Calling on residents to improve their sanitation habits, Dr Parker said the disease was transmitted by a specie of rats which infect food with their urine. Any infected person is usually affected with high fever,back pain, abdominal pain and sore throat.

Other symptoms of Lassa Fever include swelling on the face, diarrhea and mucosal bleeding.

He further warned that the ailment was highly contagious, hence, the need to maintain a clean environment, pointing out that even medical personnel were advised to wear safety gears to protect themselves from being infected.

It would be recalled that the first case was repeorted in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, where it was alleged that a youth corps member died last month after contacting the disease.

But in a swift reaction, Chairman of the local government area, Hon. Maclean Uranta explained that the area does not harbour such rodents or and wondered how the corps member had contacted the disease.

But Dr Parker responded that whether the disease was contacted within or outside the state, “for the fact that the youth corps member was in Rivers State, it is enough to call for vigilance because it is infectious and transmittable”.

Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has directed all chairmen of the 23 local government areas of the state to actively be involved in the polio sensitisation campaign which takes place throughout the state on Saturday, February 11, 2012.

Governor Amaechi handed down the directive during an inter-governmental forum held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt,  yesterday.

“The  date for polio sensitisation is on Saturday, February 11, 2012. All chairmen of councils must ensure that they participate in the polio sensitisation and that they personally drive the polio sensitisation campaign in their local government areas”, Amaechi said.

The statewide polio sensitisation campaign next Saturday will be part of the Rivers State Government’s continuous effort to wipe out polio from the state.

Governor Amaechi who is also the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, disclosed that another polio sensitisation campaign organised by the Federal Government would take place in Rivers State on Saturday, February 18, 2012, and called for participation in the exercise.

“Another polio sensitisation campaign is on 18 February; that one is being championed by the Federal Government. So, I hope all of us will participate and the Rivers State Government will also be participating. It’s important that we all take this into consideration”.