The Director-General, NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, said this in an Interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja.
”Support offered includes capacity building and training healthcare workers on infection prevention and control, clinician training on Lassa fever case management , body bags, etc.), “Timely deployment of multi-sectoral National Rapid Response Teams on request. Yearly distribution of response commodities medicines and personal protective equipment , social behaviour change communication materials, thermometers, tents, to Epidemiology Departments of State Ministries of Health and treatment centres.
“Implementation of targeted rodent control measures in high-burden LGAs in collaboration with the World Health Organization and Federal Ministry of Environment. Dissemination of alert and advisory letters to Commissioners of Health to institute appropriate response and preparedness measures. “Block all holes in your house to prevent rats from entering. Cover your dustbins and dispose of refuse properly.
He also advised Nigerians to visit the nearest health facility if they notice any of the signs and symptoms associated with Lassa fever as mentioned earlier.He called on healthcare workers to always practice standard precautions. According to him, any febrile illness that has not responded to 48 hours of use of anti-malaria or antibiotics should raise an index of suspicion for Lassa fever.