The Anambra State Government on Friday urged residents of the state to keep their environment clean at all times by blocking all holes in their house to prevent rats from entry.

Addressing journalists in Awka, the state capital, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Vincent Okpala, said that though no case of Lassa fever had been reported in any part of the state, there was the need to be more vigilant as the endemic had been recorded in some states.

Okpala enjoined residents of the state to embark on setting of rat traps as one of the measures to prevent Lassa fever disease in the state.

He said: “To reduce the risk of Lassa fever, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Anambra State Ministry of Health offer the following advice: keep your environment clean at all times, block all holes in your house to prevent rats from entry.

“Cover your dustbins and dispose of refuse properly. Communities should setup dump sites very far from their homes to reduce the chances of having rodents within home

“Store foodstuff like rice, garri, beans, corn/maize, etc, in containers which are well covered with tight-fitting lids

“Avoid drying food stuff outside on the floor, roadside where it will be exposed to contamination. Avoid bush burning which can lead to the displacement of rats from bushes to human dwellings.

“Eliminate rats in homes and communities by setting rat traps and other means.

“Wash your hands with soap under running water/or use of hand sanitisers when appropriate

The commissioner noted that the state had opened dedicated telephone lines for Lassa fever alert in the state saying that four dedicated lines had been opened for emergency situations.

While calling on Healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever; he urged them to be vigilant and look out for signs and symptoms of Lassa fever.

He added: “Any febrile illness that has not responded to 48 hours use of anti-malaria or antibiotics should raise an index of suspicion for Lassa fever.”