Gari, Bush Rat May Cause Lasser Fever
From Terhemba Dake, Abuja
PEOPLE who eat gari, a staple food in the country and bush rats run a high risk of contracting the dreaded Lassa fever, National Lassa fever Stakeholders' Forum of Nigeria disclosed yesterday.
The association made the revelation in Abuja yesterday when it presented a memorandum to the Chairman House Committee on Health Alaba Lad-Ojomo.
Speaking at the presentation, Chairman of the Association, Prof. George Akpede, said people who hunt bush rat, which he noted is a delicacy in some parts of the country, without wearing gloves while removing the entrails of the animals are at high risk of contacting the Lassa virus.
He explained that the risk factor for them is very high because the fact that the rat carries the virus mainly lives in bushes around domestic settlements, he also noted that "in the production of garri, the grains are usually spread in places that are rat-infested and as such may have been contaminated by the faeces and urine of the dangerous rodents.".
He however said that "given the difficult position this situation may have put millions of people who are consume the commodity, the only way out is to ensure that the gari are re-warmed in a pot or micro-wave before it is soaked".
He said the incidence of Lassa fever has reached a state of national emergency with 51 million people being at risk across the country and 3 million cases being reported in the country annually.
"One single case is regarded by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an epidemic. A situation where many states and local governments are affected is a major disaster by all means," he said.
The scourge, according to him is responsible for 58, 330 deaths per year.
"Lassa fever accounts for at least 6 to15 per cent of fever in patients in endemic areas in the country. Outside outbreaks, over 15 to 20 percent hospitalized for Lassa fever died from the illness. It is also a common and important cause of deafness, maternal and foetal deaths in endemic areas.
"We believe that the problem of Lassa fever rivals that of HIV/AIDS, if it is not more serious," he said.
He noted that a more serious approach is needed to battle the Lassa fever problem.
The group also want an Act to establish a National Agency or Commission on Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, noting that over N1.25 billion would be needed for a standard institute for the control and treatment of the fever.
The chairman of the House committee on Health, Ojomo said the committee would partner with the group to ensure that the Lassa fever epidemic is stopped.
