Experts Task FG On Lassa Fever

A Medical Researcher, Dr Bamidele Iwalokun, yesterday urged the Federal Government to ensure proper mobilisation of resources such as drugs and supportive therapy health workers to stem the spread of Lassa fever.
Iwalokun, who is the Head, Immunology and Vaccinology Research Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba made the plea in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
According to him, for effective management of patients, supportive health workers must be involved.
“Supportive therapy health workers that must be well protected while treating patients are needed in all the states across the country for effective management.
“Isolation centres should be provided in all the states or isolation wards within the hospitals to effectively manage patients with such diseases.
“This will keep them away from other patients to break the chain of transmission and also to prevent secondary nosocomial infection,” Iwalokun said.
He said that awareness campaign was also important in curbing the further spread and recurring cases of Lassa fever.
“The populace should be educated on the need to report every suspected case by testing the symptoms, examining and treatment at the designated Lassa fever treatment facility at the state where the outbreak is occurring.
“Government should ensure that treatment centres are situated at the local government areas where incidence is high by using active case finding of mobile health workers, comprising epidemiologist, sociologist, clinicians,” he said.
Iwalokun said that there was need for the general public to scale up sanitation, environmental and personal hygiene.
“Government at the local government level should sensitise residence at the market and household levels to reduce food exposure to rats and their secretions.
“Good food hygiene practices at the household levels and at the food canteens should be enforced with monitoring agents at the local government and ward levels,” he said.
Also, Mr Kehinde Adegoke, a medical Laboratory Scientist, advised laboratories to treat any sample the need to report any case of recurring fever to the hospital where necessary diagnosis would be ensured.