By JIMITOTA ONOYUME
PORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State Government has confirmed the outbreak of lassa fever, a dreaded viral infection, in the state.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Samson Parker, who spoke on the situation, weekend, said it was a disease carried by a specie of rat.

He said: “Rivers State currently has a challenge of lassa fever. It is real. It is the first time medical notice of the ailment is taken in the state. With one person already dead, it is an epidemic. Lassa fever is carried by species of rats with eight breasts, which stay in filthy environments. We must ensure personal and environmental hygiene, as well as good waste disposal. All domestic wastes should be covered in bags and disposed of appropriately.

“Rives people should be vigilant and correct one another, because one person’s mistake can be disastrous. The dead medical staff might have ensured personal hygiene, but her neighbours might not have been very careful.”