Port Harcourt – The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has advised residents in Rivers and other states affected by Lassa fever to imbibe sound sanitary habits following the re-emergence of the disease.
Dr Furo Green, Chairman, Rivers Chapter of the association, gave the advice in Port Harcourt on Wednesday while fielding questions from newsmen.
Green spoke against backdrop of re-emergence of Lassa fever in Taraba, Rivers and Nasarawa states.
He said that the nature of the disease required people to ensure clean environment in order to avoid being infected.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Rivers Health Commissioner, Dr Theophillus Odagme, had on Tuesday confirmed the death of two persons in connection with Lassa fever.
The chairman said the disease could be stopped from spreading if residents of the state adopted what he described as the “Ebola kind of sanitary measures’’.
He said that although the fever could be treated, patients would respond better to treatment if symptoms were reported early.
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“This is the reason we advocate preventive approach; we also advise sound reporting of existing cases to ensure swift actions.
“Members of the public should keep their homes clean and rid their homes of rats which are the sources of the illness,’’ he said. (NAN)
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