TUC flays alleged poor attitude of FG, Rivers to Lassa fever

By Jimitota Onoyume

PORT HARCOURT— Trade Union Congress, TUC, in Rivers State, has decried the seeming poor response of the Federal and Rivers State governments to contain the spread of Lassa fever that has killed a medical doctor and two others in the state within one month.

Chairman of the body in the state, Mr Chuka Onuegbu in a statement, yesterday, described Lassa fever as even more deadly than the dreaded Ebola that was effectively contained in the country.

He enjoined the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to tackle the menace, stressing that adequate sensitization of residents on the dreaded disease should be done.

“The TUC, Rivers State appeals to the Rivers State and Federal Governments to expedite action in containing the spread of Lassa fever across the state and Nigeria.

“Lassa fever is a very fatal viral haemorrhagic fever which we understand kills faster than Ebola. Already several deaths have been reported while many more especially in the rural areas go unnoticed because of the low level of sensitization of the public on Lassa fever.”

“We are deeply worried that the Lassa fever epidemic is not being giving the attention it deserves in the state and this could lead to several more avoidable deaths. We call on the Rivers State Government to keep the public regularly updated on the Lassa fever outbreak in Rivers State; explain the efforts being made to contain the spread; the number of reported cases; symptoms; Isolation and treatment centres; and preventive actions that should be taken by individuals.”