The Ondo State government has begun the distribution of 10,000 doses of rat poison to destroy rats in Lassa fever prone communities, as the dreaded virus begins its upward trend in the state.
Ondo and Edo states are the epicentres of the virus in the country.
The Lassa virus is said to be transmitted to man by infected multi-mammate rats.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control(NCDC), humans become infected from direct contact with the urine and faeces of the rat which contains the virus, through touching soiled objects, eating contaminated food, or exposure to open cuts or sores.
Secondary transmission from person to person can occur following exposure to the virus in the blood, tissue, urine, faeces or other bodily secretions of an infected individual. Hospital-acquired (nosocomial) transmission from person to person are not uncommon and importantly can occur if appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is not worn when managing suspected cases.
Out of the cumulative fatalities of 244 recorded last year nationwide, Ondo State recorded 81 deaths, from a total of 423 confirmed cases.
Comparatively, 41 people died from COVID-19 in the state by the end of 2020.
According to the figures in Week 1, dating from January 1-10, 2020, Ondo State recorded three confirmed Lassa Fever cases out of the 18 suspected cases considered.
So far, during the new week, no death has been recorded in Ondo, but two deaths were recorded in Bauchi State, according to NCDC.
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