Lassa Fever Prevalence In Ondo Worries Christian community

Eniola Olayemi

Ondo State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria on Sunday expressed concerns over the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.

The association urged its members to maintain a high level of hygiene to insulate them from the disease that has reportedly recorded no fewer than 100 casualties.

In a letter to all churches, the state Chairman of CAN, Revd. Ayo Oladapo, called on members to rid their vicinities of rats.

The letter partly read, “I have just been informed through the representative of the government that there is an outbreak of Lassa fever in the state. About 80 cases have been confirmed.

“All our churches should please sensitise their members to cover their foods properly and eradicate the existence of rats in their vicinities.

“Announcement should be made on the pulpits and in all our services. May God deliver us all from all deadly diseases in Jesus name?”

Ondo state is among the states with the highest number of recorded cases but the state government had on Friday last week set up an Emergency Response Committee to be chaired by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro, and the General Manager of Ondo State Waste Management Authority, Mrs Bola Akinyanmi, as secretary.

The committee has been tasked with the responsibility to ensure that Lassa fever was flushed out of the state within the shortest possible time.