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Lagos kills over 4,000 rats in markets to curb Lassa fever

Xinhua, January 26, 2016 Adjust font size:

Health authority in Lagos State on Tuesday said it had killed no fewer than 4,400 rats at six major markets in the state under its de-rat market program.

The government carried out the exercise at Onigongbo, Oshodi, Oke-Odo, Ikotun Idanwo, Ojuwoye and Mile 12 markets, Samuel Akingbehin, President of the Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN) told reporters in Lagos.

Akingbehin appealed to traders from across the state to show an understanding toward the efforts of the association to rid the markets of rats and rodents.

This was part of efforts by the public and relevant agencies to de-rat markets that were the causes of the Lassa Fever that had broken out in many part of the country.

The disease, since its outbreak, has killed 76 people and over 200 cases across 17 out of the 36 states are quarantined and under observations.

Lassa fever is an acute and often fatal viral disease, occurring mainly in West Africa. It is usually transmitted by contact with the saliva or excreta of rats accessing homes and food stores. Endit