Lagos State Ministry of Health has begun contact tracing to determine those who might have been infected following the Lassa fever case recorded in the state.
The step according to the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, became necessary in order to stem the spread of the disease in the state.
The commissioner who assured the people of the state of safety, announced the outbreak of the disease in the state on Wednesday, disclosing that the infected person had been isolated.
Speaking on the steps being taken to stem the spread, Abayomi said the contact tracing was being carried out in line with international standard.
His words: “The Ministry of Health, through Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health Directorate, is currently carrying out ‘contact tracing’ to determine those who may have been infected in line with the international standards, while we beef up our other surveillance strategies.”
He added that the state’s disease surveillance officers at the local government levels were already working to prevent the spread.
The commissioner disclosed that the government had provided isolation wards in order to manage suspected and confirmed cases.
Besides, he said, drugs and other materials had been prepositioned at designated facilities.
He advised health workers in general to observe universal safety precautions, comply with infection prevention and control measures when dealing with patients.
“Hands must be washed often with soap and running water or application of hand sanitisers after each contact with patients or contaminated materials and instruments must be autoclaved. Also, hospital mattresses must be covered with plastic sheets to prevent contamination,” Abayomi warned.
He said members of the public should maintain good personal hygiene and environmental sanitation to prevent contacting or spreading the disease.
Said he: “Members of the public are further advised to avoid contact with rats, to always cover their food and water properly, cook all their food thoroughly.
“They should as well block all holes in the septic tanks and holes through which rats can enter the house and clear rat hideouts within the premises.”
Abayomi charged health workers and members of the public to report any suspected case of Lassa fever to any nearest government approved health facility, the Ministry of Health or call the emergency operation centre lines: 08023169485, 08033565529 and 08052817243.
