Lagos Government Raises Fresh Lassa Fever Alert, Urges Residents to Maintain Hygiene
Lagos Government Raises Fresh Lassa Fever Alert, Urges Residents to Maintain Hygiene
The Lagos State Government has called on residents to remain vigilant and adopt proper hygiene measures to prevent the spread of Lassa fever following renewed concerns over the viral disease in parts of Nigeria.
Health authorities in the state warned that increased public awareness, environmental cleanliness, and early medical intervention remain critical in controlling the spread of the deadly infection.
The government explained that Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease primarily transmitted through contact with food, household items, or surfaces contaminated by infected rats, particularly the multimammate rat species commonly found in many communities.
Residents were advised to properly store food items in sealed containers, maintain clean environments, and avoid exposing food to rodents and other disease-carrying pests.
The Lagos State Ministry of Health also encouraged citizens to seek immediate medical attention whenever symptoms such as fever, weakness, sore throat, headache, vomiting, chest pain, or unexplained bleeding appear.
Health officials stressed that self-medication and delayed treatment often worsen complications associated with the disease, increasing the risk of fatalities.
The government further appealed to healthcare workers across the state to maintain high levels of alertness, especially when handling suspected cases, while also observing standard infection prevention and control measures.
Authorities noted that public cooperation remains essential in preventing outbreaks, particularly during periods when reported cases tend to increase across parts of the country.
Medical experts have repeatedly emphasized the importance of community hygiene, waste management, and public health education in reducing exposure to rodents linked to Lassa fever transmission.
The renewed advisory comes amid ongoing national efforts by health agencies to monitor, contain, and reduce the spread of infectious diseases across Nigeria.
