By Olasunkanmi Akoni

The fear of contracting the deadly Lasaa fever disease has led to hike in the prices of rats and pets’ killer drugs by manufacturers in Lagos. Investigation by Saturday Vanguard revealed that the hike became necessary following high demands from the public. The prices have gone up by at least 50 percent. A mouse glue board that formerly cost N100 is now sold for N150. While three rat poison that used to sell for N50 now cost N150.

One of the sellers of the products at Egbeda, in old Alimosho Local Government Area, , Mr. Micheal Uche, who spoke to Saturday Vanguard, however, said, despite the hike in the prices, demand has not only been stable but increased.

According to him, “We noticed the hike in the prices last week Wednesday, when we went to buy from the manufacturers, apparently due to the announcement of Lassa fever outbreak in Lagos. We have no option than to buy knowing that the demand for the products is encouraging in Lagos because no household can boast of not having at least a rat in the house.

“So my brother, as I pray that no one contract the fever, I know the outbreak is sweet market for us,” he said. Another vendor, Ike Sylvanus also affirmed to the fact of making quick sales despite hike in prices. According to him, “People prefer the mouse glue board to the rat poison because of the presence of kids in the house who might be tempted upon sighting a dead rat to touch it which is dangerous.

“For now, business is moving fast for us, but it is our fervent prayer that Lassa fever is kept away from our country and households.” Meantime, Lagos State Government has assured residents that there was no  cause for alarm as there was no fresh case of Lasaa fever in the state, even as it said the index case, a 25-year-old male undergraduate of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State is responding to treatment.