By Chidiebube Okeoma , Owerri
IN order to stop further spread of Lassa fever in Imo State, the government, through an agency , Imo Environmental and Transformation Commission, has begun a campaign against rodents and other pests in houses and nearby bushes in Owerri , the state capital.
The state government, through the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Angela Uwakwem, had last week confirmed that Lassa fever was in the state and that three persons had died while seven others were quarantined .
The Managing Director of Imo ENTRACO , Jeff Nwoha , said the fumigation began on Saturday during the first monthly sanitation programme for the year in order to ensure that the state was clean and free from anything that could promote the spread of Lassa fever and other diseases.
Nwoha disclosed that the exercise would exterminate pests , especially in Owerri , adding that the state government was exploring measures to make sure that Lassa fever became a thing of the past .
Nwoha said , “The governor has instructed that proactive steps should be taken to end the outbreak of Lassa fever, which has already claimed three lives in our state.
“ENTRACO , as a responsible environmental agency , has undertaken the task of fumigating various parts of the state, especially Owerri , the state capital .
“ We want to , through waging of war against pests , rodents and wastes, fight this virus. We want our environment to be clean and habitable.
We are equally creating awareness so that people would be mindful of the foods they eat and the people they shake.
“ENTRACO , under my leadership , is passionate about healthy environments . Findings show that clean environment abhors Lassa fever. After the exercise , we will begin intensive enlightenment programmes so that we will overcome this outbreak of virus as quickly as possible .”
