By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The Management of the University of Ilorin says the institution is doing everything possible to ensure that Lassa fever does not spread to the University campus.
Speaking with newsmen on Monday, Dr Abdul-Rasheed Odunola, the Director Medical Services, University of Ilorin, said the Health Services is fully prepared and doing everything toward ensuring that the disease is kept away from the University.
He noted that though, Lassa Fever has not been reported in any part of Kwara, the University Health Service is committed to the well-being of members of the University community.
The director described the disease as “an active viral hemorrhagic fever”, which incubation lasts between two and 21 days and is indigenous to Nigeria.
He said that it was first detected in 1969 at a place called Lassa along the border of the present-day Adamawa and Borno States.
Odunola explained that the viral infection has rat as its natural host.
He, however, appealed to people to prevent any form of contact between either a living or dead rat and its waste, including saliva and feaces, to avoid contacting the dreaded disease.
According to him, everyone must cultivate the habit of washing their hands thoroughly with soap and disinfectants and in a running water intermittently.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that hands should be washed after using the toilet and before consuming any meal, which must have been well-cooked to keep the disease far away.
Meanwhile, Odunola said that his office had already written to all Hostel Managers and other stakeholders in the university on the need to partner the management toward ensuring that everyone, especially the students are safe.
He added that he had also held series of meetings with the officials of the University Students’ Union and its Health Committee to ensure that every hand is on deck to prevent the spread of the menace.
According to him, the administration has made more money available for the procurement of more equipment and drugs for the prompt medical welfare of staff and students.
The director said he had held a meeting with the staff of the University Clinic on how to take stringent steps to raise awareness on the deadly disease among the staff and students of the University.
He advised the health workers, generally, to cultivate the use of gloves while on duty and frequent washing of their hands with hand sanitizer or soap.
Credit: NAN