Lassa fever kills pregnant woman in Osun 

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Osun State government has confirmed that a pregnant woman has died as a result of Lassa fever in the state.

Special Adviser on Public Health, Dr Olasiji Olamiju, made this known on Thursday during a sensitisation campaign against the disease in markets across the state.

Speaking at Oluode Market in Osogbo, Olamiju said the sensitisation campaign was part of efforts by the state government to educate residents and prevent further spread of the disease.

The special adviser, who confirmed that the state had lost a pregnant woman to the deadly disease, noted that though the disease has not escalated, the department of public health would not relent in putting necessary preventive measures in place in the state.

He advised residents to avoid contact with rats, maintain environmental hygiene and cover all foods and water properly.

He also cautioned them against exposing foods where rats could have access to them, as well as kill rats when they see any and discard any food suspected to have been tampered with by rats.

Olamiju also enjoined market women to wash cooking pots properly before and after use. 

Listing the symptoms of the disease to include headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, diarrhea, cough and abdominal pain, also advised residents to promptly report such cases to the nearest health facility.

Head, Oluode Market, Alhaja Lateef Sidikatu, said the leadership of the market had taken proactive steps to safeguard traders and customers against the disease.

“Immediately we were alerted of the outbreak in some neighbouring states, we quickly embarked on sensitisation for the traders and with the help of the government, we will also fumigate our market to make sure the environment is safe,” Lateef said.