Date: 2017-09-13

National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has gone round major markets and motor parks in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, sensitising traders and transporters on Lassa fever.

The seadogs were at Ipata and Mandate markets, Maraba Motor Park and others distributing fliers and creating awareness on the devastating effect of the disease.

Speaking with reporters in Ilorin, the state chair of the confraternity's medial unit, Tunde Dairo said in the last three months no fewer than 11 lives were lost to the disease across the country.

Dairo said, "We want to create awareness on Lassa fever in Kwara State. We are sensitising the public on the need to cultivate a clean and environmental friendly habit to nip cases of lassa fever in the bud. In Nigeria as a whole we have recorded about eleven deaths from lassa fever. Three cases were discovered in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State and the state government claimed that one case was recorded.

"Cases of the disease were prevalent in Southsouth and Southwest regions of the country. The preventive measures that we know include avoidance of rodents which is the primary source of infection; wearing of protective materials when caring for infected persons and sensitisation on the public on how to store their foodstuff in their houses.

"There is little government can do, but we on our part, because we mingle with the people, are carrying out this sensitisation campaigns to the Mandate Market, Maraba, Ipata Market and other public places in Ilorin metropolis.

"This campaign by our association will be done in major towns and cities of Nigeria just to create awareness on the menace of the disease."