Nigeria: Lassa Fever - Lagos Health Officials Comb Markets for Rats

 

Following the reported case of a Lassa fever patient at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), the Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN), Lagos State branch, for two consecutive days last weekend, moved from one market place to another in Lagos, pursuing rodents, to curb the spread of the ailment. Lassa fever is believed to be caused by rats and similar rodents. Chairman of EHOAN in Lagos State, Mr. Samuel Akingbehin, said the association decided to embark on the 'de-rat' exercise, "in order to reduce the number of the killer rodents in the market places."