The Acting Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin, Prof. Abdul-Ganiyu Ambali, has urged the federal and affected state governments to urgently address the outbreak of lassa fever in some states in the country.

In an interview with our correspondent in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Monday, Ambali observed that mortality from the lassa fever outbreak was quite high, adding that government should step up enlightenment campaigns in the affected areas and their neighbouring communities.

According to him, there is no specific treatment for the disease as it is a viral infection, noting that so far, there is no specific treatment for viral infection.

He, however, said palliative measures or tender loving care should be given to those infected. He added that they should be fortified with vitamins, antibiotics and good food so as to boost their immune systems.

He stated that the victims should be given a lot of supportive therapy in terms of vitamins, adding that the drugs could be distributed as an emergency measure.

"There should also be an immediate intervention in terms of identifying and defining specific spots, making sure that they are confined and educated people are around. It is not every rat that is carrying Lassa fever. All those nearby villages and communities should be well educated to ensure control of the spread of the virus.

"The virus can kill. It is estimated that 10 per cent of almost 500,000 infected people lose their lives. It has appreciable level of mortality. Anybody infected has 50/50 chances of dying. That is why the best way to treat them is to make sure that they are given enough supportive therapy to boost their immune system to be able to fight the infected virus. They should be given antibiotics to prevent secondary infection and vitamin to stimulate their immune system, so that their bodies can fight the virus," Ambali said.

According to the don, fever is caused by a virus and it is spread by rodent, specifically rats and mice. He added that the rodents spread the virus through their secretion and excretion, specifically through their faeces and urine. He added that they also contaminate grains with their faeces and urine.

"When these grains are contaminated, they act as a source of infection to humans. In addition to the grains, the virus is spread through vapour. Once the grains are contaminated and the secretion dries up on the grains, there is a vapour and the virus comes out or it is found in the vapour. This means that humans that work where such vapour are can inhale it with the vapour. The grains that are contaminated could also infect those that handle grains," he said.

According to him, good 'bio-security' is important in Lassa fever prevention. He stated that there should be a barrier to prevent contact between the rodents and the grains. He added that there should be a proper facility for grain storage.