By Victoria Hanson A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) under the auspices of Junior Chamber International Nigeria, (JCIN ), Ikeja will today (Friday) sensitize Nigerians and Africa in diaspora about the dreaded disease “Lassa Fever”.
The interactive segment is scheduled on twitter for easy communication, the president of the local organization, Olamide Akin Balogun said in a statement.
He explained that kick Lassa fever out campaign (online campaign) is being hosted by JCI, Global Impact Ambassador, Medic aid diagnosis, bring back our girls group, Kebbi state, host Health matters on Nigerian info fm 99.3 to answer questions on every Lassa Fever.
He said that the programme would provide answers to unknown questions of the menace, Nigerians and the world at large would find out the causes of the disease, how to aid it, To manage the crisis period and many more.
He hinted that the event is aimed at sensitizing the fever and totally eradicating the deadly disease.
According to the president, among the contributors and moderators of the online discussion are agents of change such as Pascal Dike, JCI Nigeria world president, Amb. Olatunji Oyeyemi JCI Nigeria National President, Amb.Olamide Akin Balogun Eka Jnr,Global Impact Ambassador local organization president, JCIN Ikeja, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi wife of Kebbi state Governor, Juliet Offiah, Host Health matters on Nigerian info Fm 99.3, Aisha Yesuf, leader of the BBOG group, Amb. Henry Adedokun Executive Vice President South West Nigeria, Amb Adetola Juyitan National Vice President, South West Nigeria and All Medic Aid Diagnostics Centre Doctors.
On the etymology of the disease, he said that the disease was first discovered in the 1950s but the cause of the deadly fever was not identified untill 1969. It was mainly found in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Niger.
Explaining further, Balogun pointed that other neighbouring countries are also at risk because the type of rat that spreads the virus is also found throughout the west African region.
Due to the clinical course of the disease being so variable, defection of the disease in affected patients has been difficult yet, prompt isolation of affected patients, good infection protection and control practices rigorous contact tracing can stop outbreaks” he added.