The Bayelsa Commissioner for Health, Dr Ayibatonye Owei, said on Thursday that there was no case of Lassa fever in the state.
Owei, who stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yengaoa said that high personal hygiene would prevent the disease.
He identified wild rodents such as rats as reservoir for the virus.
NAN recalls that the disease has affected neighbouring states like Rivers and Delta.
“Our people must imbibe the spirit of high personal hygiene, clean your house every day, inside and out, to avoid any trace of infected rats.
“Dispose the waste properly and never let any food waste litter the house because it can attract rats; never clean the rat droppings or stool, urine or dead body with bare hands.
“Wash your hand and maintain good sanitation in your environment; make sure your food is well cooked and prepared in a very high hygienic condition and ensure that no rat has access to where food items are,” he said.
The commissioner also said that the state government had set up a committee to initiate measures to sensitise the public.
“We are on top of the game to ensure that Lassa fever does not affect the state and we are working out strategies to embark on sensitisation of people on the preventive measures.
“The sensitisation campaign will cut across the eight local government areas in the state,’’ he said.
