BENIN CITY – Sensitization is on top gear as the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA) organised an awareness creation really to major streets in Benin City to sensitise the public on measures of preventing communicable diseases, such as Monkey-Pox, Measles, Lassa Fever, HIV/AIDS and Corona-virus.

The rally featured free medical check-up, screening and COVID-19 vaccination exercise.

At Uselu Market, 35 persons were screened for high blood pressure, 25 for diabetes mellitus, while 14 persons received COVID-19 vaccination.

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Eloghosa Obarisiagbon has urged Nurses in Primary Health Care facilities to be more deligent and avoid direct contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons so as to avoid being infected with Lassa Fever and other communicable diseases.

While educating the public during the rally on preventive measures and possible means of contracting Lassa Fever, the Health Educator For Egor Local Government Area, Mr. Eghosa Omoregie said that Lassa fever virus is transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces.

According to Mr. Omoregie, prevention of Lassa fever relies on promoting good community hygiene to discourage rodents from entering homes.

He said that storing grains and other foodstuff in rodent-proof containers and disposing of garbage far away from the home could reduce the risk of contracting Lassa fever.