By Kemi Olatunde

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Efforts of the Ondo State government in curtailing the spread of Lassa fever in the state is yielding result as not less than 3000 rats have been killed in some local governments.
It would be recalled that a few weeks ago, government began the free distribution of rat killers to residents of the state especially local governments with lassa fever cases for the eradication of the fever in the state.
Acting Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye during Lassa fever eradication campaign in Ayede Ogbese disclosed that over 3000 rats have been packed and burnt excluding those that died in unknown places.
While stressing the need for proper attention to be given to the disease even amidst COVID-19 infection, he noted that it is important for people to take necessary preventive measures to guide against its spread in the state.
He explained that lassa fever can be eradicated by waging war against rats in the state and called on residents to block all rat holes in their homes and also desist from eating rat.
Adeyeye commended stakeholders who have been sensitising the people and called for more support from the people in order to end it in the state.
However, he appealed to distributors of the rat killers to sensitise the people on its proper use Adding that it should not be used within the reach of children and domestic animals.
He stressed the need for residents of the community to support government in ensuring that it is put out of the state by maintaining neat environment
Giving a talk on the critical steps to eradicate it in the state, representative of the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Zachariah Gbelela who explained that 75 percent of the total confirmed cases in Nigeria in 2020 came from three states including Ondo who had 36 percent from the 75 percent described the state as the epic centre in the country.
He called on all to embark on preventive measures to ensure that they don’t contact it saying “don’t give any form of rat any chance in your home.”
However, he added that the rats killed from the poison should be buried in order to prevent further spread of the fever.
Chairman, Akure North Local Government, Hon. Bankole Ogbesetoro stressed the need for residents to clear all illegal dump sites in their vicinity.
Commissioner for works, Hon. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye who described the best way to kick the fever out of the state is by embracing healthy environment, noting that government is key in giving priority to the health of residents of the state.
Responding, Regent, Ayede Ogbese, Oba Bukola Akinyede called on all to shun the act of sun drying food items in the open space and also keep their environment clean.
While commending government for its efforts in eradicating the fever in the state, he appealed that wastes be properly managed in the community.