Enugu govt urges citizens to maintain rodent-free environment

George Ugwu, Enugu State Commissioner for Health, has called on residents to maintain rodent-free environments, as part of measures to prevent the outbreak of Lassa fever in the State.

Ugwu made the call while briefing journalists on the State’s level of preparedness and prevention strategies against Lassa fever.

The advisory, he said, became necessary following confirmed cases of the deadly disease in neighbouring Benue and Ebonyi States

According to him, reports from the affected States indicated about 250 suspected cases, 45 confirmed cases and ten deaths, including healthcare workers and added that a recent situation report showed that more than six additional confirmed cases in Ebonyi State.

Although no confirmed case has been recorded in Enugu State, Ugwu noted that the State has moved into a high alert phase due to its shared boundaries with Benue and Ebonyi States.

“We are currently in a high alert phase and actively engaging our partners to ensure that no case of Lassa fever is recorded in Enugu State in 2026,” he said.

He advised residents to store grains and other food items in tightly sealed containers and to avoid drying food items by the roadside or in open spaces where rodents could contaminate them.

He also urged the public to block holes in walls and floors, clear bushes around homes, and maintain clean surroundings to prevent rats from gaining access to houses.

The Commissioner further cautioned against handling or consuming rats and other rodents as food, and advised residents to avoid contact with the blood, urine, faeces or body fluids of infected persons.

He stressed the importance of regular handwashing with soap and clean water, use of hand sanitisers where water is unavailable, and thorough washing of fruits and vegetables before consumption.

Ugwu advised residents to immediately report to the nearest health facility if they experience symptoms such as persistent fever not responding to malaria treatment, headache, general weakness, vomiting, abdominal pain, or bleeding from the nose, mouth or other body openings.

“Early professional treatment in a health facility greatly increases chances of survival. Avoid all forms of self-medication,” he warned.

Addressing healthcare facilities and workers, the Commissioner made triaging (preliminary assessment of patients or casualties) of all patients at designated points mandatory.

He directed that patients presenting symptoms of infectious diseases be referred to facilities with the capacity to manage them.

He also instructed tertiary health facilities to provide holding areas for suspected cases and promptly notify the State, through appropriate channels.

Healthcare workers were urged to strictly adhere to Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidelines, use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and maintain a high index of suspicion for persistent fevers that do not respond to malaria treatment.

Ugwu disclosed that the State Government had elevated surveillance to “Enhanced Mode” across all 17 Local Government Areas, particularly in identified hotspots, with Rapid Response Teams on 24-hour standby.

He added that essential commodities, including PPE, medicines and body bags for safe burials, had been pre-positioned, while risk communication materials were being disseminated in local languages.

He called on media practitioners to report only verified information from the Ministry of Health and to support efforts in promoting accurate prevention messages.

Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodent urine or faeces, has been confirmed in several states across Nigeria, including Taraba, Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi and Ebonyi.