In a shocking revelation, it has been disclosed that no fewer than 4,400 rats has been killed at six major markets in Lagos under the de-rat market programme in a bid to fight off the deadly Lassa fever.
In an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, the president of the Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, Samuel Akingbehin, has said that it had killed no fewer than 4,400 rats at six major markets in the state under its de-rat market programme.
He further disclosed that his association carried out the exercise at Onigongbo, Oshodi, Oke-Odo, Ikotun Idanwo, Ojuwoye and Mile 12 Markets.
He added that 'de-rating the markets' was part of the association’s efforts to curb the spread of Lassa fever in the state. "The exercise is strategic in our effort toward the prevention of communicable diseases," he said.
The disease, since its outbreak, has killed no fewer than 76 of its victims, and over 200 cases across 17 states are quarantined and under observations.
Akingbehin appealed to traders from across the state to show an understanding towards the efforts of the association to rid the markets of rodents. He said the plan was to de-rat markets in one local government area per day starting from 5pm.
According to him, the association decided on this time to allow traders and buyers transact their legitimate businesses.
"We also decided to put the exercise in the evening due to the nocturnal nature of rodents and our members had recorded successes in the markets visited till date. It took us about three hours to cover the Oshodi market when our members went there for the exercise.
Today, Monday, we will be visiting Suru-Alaba Market in Orile-Ifelodun LCDA by 5pm with about 400 EHOs to de-rat it. We are still calling on all other executive secretaries of the local government areas to assist us toward the elimination of rodents in our markets and our environments," he said.