Ondo state government has directed heads of health facilities in the state to set up an outbreak control team for quick response to possible outbreak of Lassa Fever.
The Commissioner for Health, Dry Dayo Adeyanju gave the directive in Akure at a sensitization meeting on the management and control of Lassa Fever with Chief Medical Directors, Primary Healthcare Coordinators and Health Educators.
Dr Adeyanju explained that the sensitization was imperative as the state is devising measures of curtailing Lassa Fever preparatory to the possible outbreak of the disease in the state.
While reminding the health workers of the task ahead, the commissioner charged them to be well prepared in assisting government to prevent any possible outbreak of the disease adding that the Mimiko-ledge administration could not afford to loose any resident to lassa.
Dr Adeyanju assured them of government necessary support, urging them to activate their proactive mechanisms in the interest of the citizenry.
Presenting the WHO report on the last outbreak of Lassa Fever in the country at the event, the representative of the World Health Organization, Dr Akinola Fatiregun said inadequate emergency preparedness, shortage of ambulances, and absence of robust laboratory services were some of the identified challenges that impeded the quick containment of the disease during the last nationwide outbreak.
He there advised the state to put all these in place as it prepares to tame the disease.
Also, the permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr Taye Oni said government would not wait for Lassa fever to be recorded before necessary steps are taking.
Participants on their parts called for the involvement of private medical practitioners in the mission noting that their reported case of the disease happened in a private hospital.
According to a report by the WHO on the last case of Lassa in the country which claimed many lives, over 80% of those affected were health workers following their exposure to infected persons in the quest to saving their lives and spreading further spread of the disease.
Ondo state government had also in the week flagged off awareness campaign in Ikaro, in Ose local government area, a boarder town between the state and Edo to sensitize residents on lassa preventive measures and the need for them to be vigilant.
