No new case of virus in Plateau – Health Commissioner

Dr. Kunden Deyin, Commissioner of Health in Plateau said there was no fresh outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.Deyin made the clarification in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Jos.

He said that the last case of Lassa fever in the State was in August 2016 when a nomadic woman and a student from the University of Jos, were tested for the disease.

According to him, the two patients were treated and discharged from the University of Jos Teaching Hospital (JUTH), and they are doing well.

He disclosed that aside the two confirmed cases, there were 10 persons with suspected cases of Lassa fever, but when the test results came back from EDO, it showed that they were negative.

The Commissioner added that the government and the ministry were on top of the situation

“We have not relented on our oars because we do not have a case of Lassa fever in Plateau.

“The ministry of health has since commenced aggressive sensitization and awareness campaigns in Jos-Bukuru metropolis and in the 17 LGAs of the state to enlighten the people on how to prevent the disease.

“The ministry, through its sensitization campaign has educated the populace on the importance of keeping a clean environment,” he said.

Deyin said there was the need to ensure that all foods were stored in a rodent proof containers and to desist from drying food stuff on the road side since the rat can urinate and defecate in them.

“We embarked on this social mobilization because we believe that prevention is better than cure,” he said.

Deyin said that the ministry had liaised with traditional and religious leaders on the need to sensitise their subjects and congregations on the importance of promoting good community and personal hygiene.

He, therefore, appealed to the people to ensure that rodents were not allowed into houses since a dirty environment attracts the rodent which causes the disease.