The Rivers State Government has taken concrete steps to combat the further spread of Lassa fever in the state.
The Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, who stated this while declaring open a one-day Sensitization Seminar on Lassa Fever for staff of Government House, Port Harcourt, said that in the last one week, the state has not recorded any new cases of Lassa fever following the maximum support the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has put in place through the Ministry of Health.
“The Rivers State Government through the Ministry of Health has taken drastic measures with the support of his Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, to combat the further spread of the Lassa fever, and I believe that in the last one week, we have not heard about any new case of Lassa fever in the state”.
Woke urged staff of Government House, who participated at the event, to make judicious use of the knowledge acquired from the programme and help to educate their neighbours, friends, associates, business colleagues, including church members on how to prevent the spread of Lassa fever.
“Those of you who work here will understand the sensitive nature of Government House; it is the epicentre of the state. Whatever knowledge you acquire from this programme, take it home and educate your neighbours, friends, associates, church members and business colleagues on the awareness to avoid the spread of Lassa fever”, he said.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Dr. Onyenachi Nwankwor called for regular hygiene to be practiced, adding that if proper hygiene was observed, people in the society would avoid 70 percent of contagious diseases.
Earlier in her presentation, Senior Medical Doctor at the Government House, Dr. Miller Finebone, had said that the one-day sensitization campaign on Lassa fever was organized to educate staff of Government House on the need to prevent the spread of Lassa fever.
She noted that the deadly virus’ common symptoms that can be identified from suspected persons infected include, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chest pain, hearing loss, general fever, malaria, back pain, amongst others.
