The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Breakthrough Action Nigeria has sensitised students on Lassa fever and other infectious diseases spread by animals.
The programme in collaboration with the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, State Ministry of Agriculture and the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency BASEPA, is to achieve one health zero death concept.
Speaking at the event, Ibrahim Salisu of the epidemiology unit of the state primary health care agency said, the sensitisation was aimed at educating the students on the existence of Lassa fever, its symptoms and the appropriate steps to take in case such symptoms are noticed.
Ibrahim who explained that Lassa fever which is from the Lassa virus is transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces.
He however said, prevention of Lassa fever relies on promoting good hygiene to discourage rodents from entering homes.
Also speaking, Haruna Sulaiman, environmental health officer BASEPA, said the control of Lassa fever is a collective responsibility, and as the custodian of environment in the state, they were at the event to enlighten the students on how to keep their environment clean.
Advising the people on refuse collector for effective waste management, Haruna also advises on maintaining clean households free from rats and also block all openings in their premises so as to truncate the free movement of rodents.
Malam Haruna therefore implored members of the public to practice good hygiene as part of preventive measures against Lassa fever, rabbies and other communicable diseases.
On his part, the principal Baitul Hikma College Bauchi, Muhammad Junaid thanked the organizers and described as timely considering the critical role sanitation and hygienee play in preventing and controlling the spread of infectious diseases such as the lassa fever and rabbies amongst others.
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