Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has appealed to Lagosians to keep their houses and surroundings clean, and ensure they eat well-prepared food.
The admonition is coming on the heels of the confirmation of an index case of Lassa fever in the state.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Rasak, Obasa urged Lagosians to remain calm as the government has not only put its health workers on alert to combat the disease, but also possesses the necessary medical infrastructure to tackle the disease.
The Speaker also urged doctors, nurses and other medical personnel to brace up for the new challenge, noting that their swiftness in arresting the disease will allay fears among the people.
Obasa urged residents to maintain clean and hygienic environment all the time.
“We should maintain clean and hygienic environment all the time and also ensure that our meals are not only well-cooked but are also kept away from rats since it has been discovered that rats are the major carriers of the disease,” he advised.
Obasa also advised Lagosians against on self-medication, urging them to report to the nearest hospital if they have symptoms of the disease or see anybody that does.
“We should not indulge in self-medication. It behoves on us to report to the nearest hospital if we have symptoms of the disease or see anybody with the symptoms of the disease and that is why we must remain vigilant all the time,” he said.
Obasa reminded Lagosians that symptoms of the deadly disease include headache, sore throat, cough, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and general weakness of the body.
He stated further that while the state government is battle ready to combat the disease, the public can also assist by providing health workers with the needed information all the time.
“While commending measures put in place by the state government to combat the disease, I want to assure our people that indeed, in Lagos State, there is no cause for alarm on the issue of Lassa fever disease,” Obasa concluded.
